The IUS volleyball team defeated the St. Catharine College Patriots, for their second victory in a row, 3-0 on Sept. 29 in the Activities Building.
Both teams came out strong, but the Grenadiers swept the Patriots, 25-10, 27-25 and 25-9.
Standout players of the night were the Grenadiers’ Lindsey Maymon, freshman outside hitter, who had 11 kills and St. Catharine’s Lauren Bowling, libero, who had seven kills.
Stacey Flatt, senior setter, served three aces to lead the Grenadiers.
Lesley Drury-Prather, head coach of the Grenadiers, said the team did well.
“I thought we came out strong in the first game, which was awesome, and then I think we got comfortable in the second,” she said. “Then came out on the third and played how we know how to play.”
Interim coach of the Patriots, Mike Doig, said he felt his team put forth a good effort despite recent setbacks with a recent coaching change and an injury to setter, Taylor Malott.
“Southeast brought their experience to the game. They are very good hitters. For us, we had a major injury over the weekend so we’re still trying to find our place in our roles. I thought the girls made a good effort,” Doig said.
Doig said the change in the lineup made the team redefine their roles.
“They’re searching for their roles, covering the front in the blocks and height wise, trying to get them in the right locations. Trying to find out roles,” Doig said.
He said they are working hard at the game and giving all they have with their new lineup.
“I’m very proud of the girls in their attitude and efforts trying to be on top of things and making the season as best they can be and not saying, ‘oh, forget the season,’” Doig said.
Drury-Prather said the Grenadiers’ practice regimen has changed since their last game.
“We’ve been practicing different shots, with our hitting, didn’t really work on those tonight,” Drury-Prather said.
Drury-Prather said the team’s intensity has definitely picked up and hasn’t been going down, despite the second game of the match, which Drury-Prather said is when the team became comfortable.
One Grenadier player said she felt the game went well, and was happy with their season thus far.
“Practices are good and we work hard and bring it to the games,” Emily Knight, freshman defensive specialist and libero, said.
Drury-Prather said she is feeling very good about the team and the season overall.
“We’re improving every day and I couldn’t ask for more as a coach,” Drury-Prather said.
Doig said he was optimistic about his players and the future of the team and season.
“We’re looking forward to getting better,” Doig said.
This was the first of three meetings this season between IU Southeast and St. Catharine.
IU Southeast is now 8-7 overall and 1-0 in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.
With the loss, St. Catharine fell to 11-16 overall and 0-6 in the Mid-South Conference.
The Grenadiers’ next home game is a conference matchup against the Brescia University Lady Bearcats.
By JESSICA MEYER
Staff Writer
jessmeye@ius.edu