GARY, Ind. — The RedHawks are rolling at the perfect time. Indiana University Northwest volleyball swept rival IU South Bend 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-22) on Thursday night at the Savannah Center, kicking off Homecoming week with a statement win and improving to 19-7 overall and 14-4 in CCAC play.
It was the second time the RedHawks have beaten IU South Bend and the first time they have done it in three sets, and IU Northwest hit .287 to the Titans' .148 while piling up 46 kills.
The RedHawks fell behind early in the opening set when IU South Bend opened with three straight points, but they never flinched. Raniyah Preston and Gabi Lilovich traded kills to claw back, and Amie Schutz took over from there, putting away kill after kill off Preston and Lilovich sets. Trinitie Lintner added a kill off a Preston set and a block, and Schutz powered a late surge that built a 20-14 lead. IU South Bend closed within 20-24, but Schutz finished it with a kill off a Preston set for the 25-20 win.
IU Northwest then turned up the heat in the second set. Lintner and Kaelan Murphy kept the RedHawks within striking distance early, and a Murphy service ace put IU Northwest on top. The RedHawks were still trading points late at 15-16 when the game turned. Lintner put away a kill off a Lilovich set, then Murphy went to the service line and the RedHawks reeled off nine straight points. Schutz, Lilovich and Preston traded kills, Preston and Lintner combined on a block, and Preston and Schutz closed out the run in dominant fashion. IU Northwest finished the set 25-15 and took a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was a fight, and the RedHawks refused to lose. IU South Bend grabbed a 19-16 lead late, but IU Northwest answered with its best stretch of the night. A forced IU South Bend error and a Brooklyn Perry block started the comeback, Schutz followed with a kill off a Lilovich set, and Murphy added a kill off an Abby Allen set to pull the RedHawks within one. From there, IU Northwest closed on a 6-0 run to steal the set, 25-22, and complete the sweep.
Schutz was unstoppable, putting down 18 kills on .455 hitting for a match-high 19.0 points and adding 12 digs. Lilovich directed the offense with 20 assists and nine kills, while Preston added 19 assists and six kills. Murphy chipped in six kills and eight digs, and Lintner hit .364 with five kills, two block solos and a block assist. Eva Everett anchored the defense with 13 digs.
The RedHawks now turn their attention to the postseason. IU Northwest opens the CCAC tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and is looking to host a quarterfinal match for the first time in program history. More details will be announced. soon.
