Titans Set for Conference Tournament Clash at St. Francis
JOLIET, Ill. — It’s tournament time, and the Titans are ready for the spotlight. After a season of grit, growth, and record-breaking performances, the Indiana University South Bend volleyball team hits the road for an 8:00 p.m. ET quarterfinal showdown at the University of St. Francis (Ill.) — a matchup that promises to deliver every bit of postseason drama.
IU South Bend wrapped up the 2025 regular season as the sixth place squad in the CCAC standings. The Titans boasted a 9-9 conference record to help secure a spot in the postseason tourney. They will match up against the Saints, who will host the quarterfinal bout as the No. 3 seed.
The two teams split their regular-season meetings, each winning on the other’s floor. St. Francis took the first round 3-1 back in September, but the Titans returned the favor in October, storming into Joliet to grab a 3-1 victory. Now, with everything on the line, it’s winner moves on.
Titans Trending Up
IU South Bend (13-19, 9-9 CCAC) closed out the regular season playing some of its most balanced volleyball of the year. The Titans’ attack was a two-headed offense at the top with Alyssa Carson and Emalee Maesch leading the way. Carson was cooking from the outside with 253 kills this season, while Maesch was not far behind with 248 kills (2.21 per set). Ryleigh Grott and Jillian Bruckner added depth and power at the net with 174 and 149 kills, respectively.
At the heart of it all, Brynn Lake has been the glue — the lone setter running the show. Lake has piled up an impressive 775 assists this season, orchestrating the Titan offense with poise and precision.
The Defensive Dynamo
And then there’s Sydney Hanna — the heartbeat of this Titan squad. The senior libero has been rewriting the record books this fall, setting IU South Bend marks for digs in a season, career digs, and digs in a single match. Her relentless play in the back row has kept rallies alive and frustrated opposing hitters all year. Hanna enters the postseason with a staggering 595 digs (5.13 per set) — and was also named CCAC Defender of the Week at the beginning of the month.
The Matchup
When these two teams meet, expect long rallies and momentum swings. In the first meeting, St. Francis’ offense leaned on balance and efficiency, led by outside hitter Alyssa Teske’s 15 kills. But in the rematch, IU South Bend’s front line flipped the script — Maesch and Carson both tallied 16 kills, while Hanna anchored the defense with 27 digs.
That back-and-forth storyline sets the stage for a third and decisive act under the bright postseason lights.
What’s at Stake
The Titans are aiming to advance to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2021, and they’ll do it behind a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars who’ve learned to thrive in tight moments.
The Stage Is Set
The Titans will take the court at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time) at St. Francis’ Pat Sullivan Center, with a semifinal berth hanging in the balance.
So grab your popcorn — the postseason is here, and IU South Bend volleyball is ready to make some noise.