BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Indiana University South Bend volleyball team saw its season come to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a five-set Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Semifinals setback at the hands of top-seeded Olivet Nazarene Thursday night, April 8 inside the McHie Center.
The game marked the end of an improbable season by the Titans, who had the first month of its season put on pause due to Indiana University placing a hold on all regional campuses from late November to early February. IU South Bend displayed resiliency during the 2020-21 campaign, playing three to four games a week in conference play and earned the fourth seed in the tournament.
Seniors Julie Brown and Hannah Marchand led the Titans with 15 kills apiece. Marchand added two blocks while Brown and junior transfer Amber Jacobs added one rejection.
Junior McKenzie Powell posted 36 assists and added 19 digs for her 11th double-double of the year. Jacobs finished the night with 18 digs while sophomore Whitney Gessinger added 17 for the Crimson and Cream.
After IUSB won the first set 25-23, Olivet Nazarene evened and gained the lead with a 25-13 second set and a 25-14 third set. The Titans rattled off a 25-21 fourth frame, forcing the decisive fifth set. With the score at 5-5, the Tigers took control from there outscoring IUSB 10-2 to seal the victory.