GRENADIERS DEFEAT HANOVER IN FOUR SETS TUESDAY

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The IU Southeast volleyball team got back on the winning track with a 25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20 win over Hanover College on Tuesday.

The Grenadiers (3-6) trailed 16-12 to open the match but battled back to tie the first set at 17 before taking a 21-19 lead on an ace from Santina Schembra. The Panthers (3-6) tied the set at 21 and again at 22 before the Grenadiers scored the final three points of the frame. Two attack errors sandwiched around a kill by Macy Graves secured the set for IU Southeast.

The second set belonged to Hanover as they jumped out to a 13-7 and then a 19-11 advantage. IU Southeast had an attack percentage of -.167 in the second period of play but were able to cut the deficit to 22-18 but would not get closer.

In third set, IU Southeast led 15-13 before scoring five of the next six points to earn a comfortable lead. Delaney Nicholas started the run with a kill which was followed by two blocks by Maggie Purichia to extend the lead.

The lead was cut to 22-19 but three more errors led to Grenadier points and the set. Alexis Franks won the set with a block.

Back-to-back kills by Alexis Franks gave the Grenadiers a 19-14 lead in the fourth set. Then Macy Graves and Jennie Malone traded kills over the final four points of the match with Malone getting the final kill to seal the win for the Grenadiers.

Macy Graves had 13 kills to lead the Grenadiers, while Emilee Organ had 10. Jennie Malone had five kills, three solo blocks and four block assists. Maggie Purichia had two solo blocks and two block assists.

Lexie Fisher led the Grenadiers with four aces and 28 digs. Brandy Eisenback had 22 assists and 10 digs and Cate Murphy added 18 assists.

The Grenadiers had 12 total blocks to the Panthers' 4.5

IU Southeast opens conference play Friday when the Grenadiers host St. Mary-of-the-Woods at 7 p.m.