CHICAGO — Indiana University Northwest battled hard in a competitive three-set match but fell to Saint Xavier University 3-0 (25-13, 28-26, 25-23) on Thursday evening at the Shannon Center. The RedHawks dropped to 12-17 overall and 8-6 in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The opening set saw Saint Xavier seize early momentum. Despite a brief spark from Baileigh Uporsky and Raniyah Preston, the Cougars closed out the set 25-13.

The RedHawks regrouped in the second set,  in a back-and-forth battle that featured eight ties and five lead changes. Lindsey Krueger and Trinitie Lintner each contributed timely kills, and IU Northwest rallied late behind Gabi Lilovich's service ace to take a 24-23 lead. However, Saint Xavier delivered back-to-back kills to swing the set in the Cougars' favor, 28-26.

IU Northwest carried that competitive edge into the third frame. Preston fueled the RedHawks' attack with nine kills overall, including a trio in the final set to help her team trade points with Saint Xavier. Uporsky and Lintner added critical blocks at the net, but Saint Xavier capitalized on late opportunities to secure a 25-23 win and the sweep.

Preston paced the RedHawks with nine kills and eight assists, while Lilovich added four kills, 11 assists, and two service aces. Libero Eva Everett led the defense with 16 digs. Lintner tallied three kills and three total blocks, and Uporsky contributed four kills and three block assists.

IU Northwest returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 28, to host Olivet Nazarene University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Savannah Center.