Volleyball: IU East 3, Rio Grande 0 in RSC Semifinals

KOKOMO, Ind. - The No. 3 seeded Red Wolves ousted No. 2 University of Rio Grande 25-19, 28-26, 25-21 in the RSC semifinal contest played in the Student Activities and Events Center at IU Kokomo on Friday.

With the win, the Red Wolves earn a berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the second year in a row.

IU East (26-9) will play top seed and 11th ranked IU Kokomo (31-4) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the RSC Tournament final. The Wildcats beat No. 4 St. Mary-of-the-Woods College 21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21 in the other semifinal on Friday. Rio Grande is now 28-9, while SMWC is 32-7.

After winning the first set, the Red Wolves were able to outlast the RedStorm in the second. The third set was tied 19-19 when IU East scored three straight to force a Rio Grande timeout. IU East came out and scored again to lead 23-19 as the Red Wolves were able to take the set.

Reece Shirley topped the Red Wolves with 10 kills as she also finished with 12 assists and five blocks.

Jessica Swimm had eight kills for IU East with Aislyn Hogan leading the way with 19 assists.

Defensively, Summer Hendershot had 13 digs for the Red Wolves, while Teah Barrett Matthews matched Shirley with five blocks.