The IUS volleyball team played against conference opponent Brescia University on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Grenadiers beat the Bearcats in a decisive three set sweep (25-21, 25-16, 25-20).

The Grenadiers looked to bounce back from a loss on Tuesday night against IU Kokomo, but they had to make some adjustments prior to Thursday’s matchup.

“We are really working on our serve so we can challenge the other team’s server better than we have in the past,” head coach Eric Brian said. “We are also working on our serve because that is where we are getting stuck.”

In the first set it was tied 8-8, then the Grenadiers took the lead and won the first set 25-21. Then in the second set with the score tied 10-10 the Grenadiers went on a huge 15-6 run and won the set 25-16.

After taking two sets the Grenadiers looked to win the third set and the match. In the third set the Grenadiers led early on and the Bearcats weren’t able to come back and the Grenadiers won the final set 25-20.

Hannah Joly, freshman outside hitter, led the team with 12 kills. Monica Loftus, freshman right side hitter, had 11 kills. Michala Beasley, sophomore outside hitter, and Katie Fischer, junior middle blocker, both had 6 kills each. Hannah Barker, junior setter, had a game-high 33 assists.

The Grenadiers looked great on the defensive side as they had six blocks as a team. They also had a total of 44 defensive digs.

Barker said the Grenadiers did a great job of getting the ball where it needed to go against Brescia.

“I felt like our defense was aggressive and our serving was aggressive,” Barker said.

Brian said that although his team didn’t play great they still found a way to win Thursday’s match.

“It wasn’t one of our best performances but we found a way to grind it out when we weren’t clicking,” Brian said.

IU Southeast also played on the road against University of Rio Grande on Friday, Oct. 2. The Grenadiers won the match in three straight sets (25-23, 25-13, 25-22). They are now fifth in the KIAC standings.

The Grenadiers next have a doubleheader against Appalachian Bible College and West Virginia Institute of Technology on Saturday, Oct. 3.