Box Score
Lourdes University ran into one of the few remaining undefeated teams in NAIA on Wednesday evening, dropping a 25-13, 25-20, 25-11 match against #23 Indiana-East at Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, Ind.
Indiana-East committed just three attack errors over the first two sets, while hitting .375 for the match.
“At times today we competed well but at other times I think we just gave them too many points instead of making them earn them,” head coach
Greg Reitz stated after the match. “This is one of the best teams we are going to see all year. I think their ranking will go up as the season goes along.”
The Red Wolves jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Lourdes pulled within 6-3, the closest the Gray Wolves would get in the set. IUE would score 19 of the final 29 points to take the early lead in the match.
Lourdes hung with Indiana-East in set two, registering 18 kills, two more than the Red Wolves, but could not overcome a .441 hitting percentage by the hosts to fall behind two sets to none.
“We really battled in set two and that was good to see,” Reitz added. “If we can play like that consistently, we will be able to be competitive in our conference matches.”
In set three, the Indiana-East scored seven straight points midway through the set to break it open on the way to improving to 10-0 on the season. The Red Wolves have lost just one set all season long.
Katie McKenty (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame H.S.) led Lourdes with 13 kills while
Shelby Schuster (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview H.S.) added eight more.
Kirstin Kirk (Westland, Mich./John Glen H.S.) tallied a team-high 14 digs while
Michi Jimenez (Vega Baja, P.R ./Juan Quirindongo Morrell H.S.) handed out 20 assists.
“Kirstin did a really good job at libero for us tonight,” Reitz concluded.
Brianna Strete led Indiana-East with 11 kills and hit .667 while Caitlin Burroughs added 10 kills. Lauren Crump led the Red Wolves with 16 digs and 41 assists.
Lourdes (5-9) will have a week off before returning to Tam-o-Shanter next Wednesday evening to host Madonna in the home and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opener. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.
