IUE tops Eagles in Friday volleyball matchup

MIDWAY, Ky. - Despite strong stretches in the second and third sets, Midway was unable to close in what became a 25-15, 25-17, 26-24 sweep at the hands of Indiana University East in a River States Conference women's volleyball match Friday night. 

The Eagles never led in the opening set and fell behind 11-4 in the second, but benefitted from a sloppy stretch by the Red Wolves, who committed four straight errors. Then, following a service ace by Nyla Gaines, Midway was within 11-9.

The teams went back-and-fourth with Midway getting within 14-13, before IUE found its rhythm again, scoring 11 of the final 15 points to take a two-set lead.

Midway looked primed to extend the match in set three, taking three separate five-point leads, the last coming off a bad set IU East set that made it 19-14.

But that gave way to a 10-3 Red Wolves run, with a kill by Teah Barrett Matthew making it match point at 24-22.

The Eagles were able to make another surge thanks to two more IUE attack errors, the last of which tied things up at 24, the seventh tie of the set.

That would be the last one. Following a Jessica Swimm kill, Aislyn Hogan ended things with an ace.

Aubry Koester led Midway with nine kills while Gaines added seven. Marinna Liedle had 15 assists with Blair Riney and Emily Slaughter each recording a match-high 11 digs.

The Eagles are now 8-8 overall with a 3-4 record in the RSC. They are back home Saturday against Brescia at noon.

Prior to the match, Midway will host its senior day celebration at approximately 11:45 a.m.