Volleyball Wraps Non-League Slate with Sweep of IU East
UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor kicked off the Homecoming Weekend in style, improving to 12-2 in non-league action this season with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-21 win over IU East on Friday evening.
TU set the tone early, jumping to a 6-1 lead and maintaining a comfortable gap throughout the opening set. Taylor hit .542 in the 10-point win, posting 14 kills to just one miscue, while IU East (12-8) managed just nine digs. Ryan Czerniak had the hot hand early, finishing the first set with five kills in eight looks.
The action was much more competitive over the remainder of the night, with the two sides locking up for a thrilling second set. Taylor nearly cost itself the game with a trio of late service errors but back-to-back Sarah Scott kills drew the Trojans even at 24-24 and a Jaylynn Dunsmore kill helped TU erase a 23-20 deficit and finish off a 26-24 victory.
Taylor continued to trade points with the Red Wolves throughout the third and final set, using a 5-0 spurt to open a 10-7 lead on a Kacy Bragg ace and a Ryan Czerniak kill. The visitors had one final charge in them however, responding with a 7-1 stretch to put TU in an 18-14 deficit. The Trojans had the final say, capitalizing on a slew of IU East miscues down the stretch to secure the 25-21 victory.
Czerniak was the lone Trojan with a double-digit kill total on the night, ending the contest with 11 to move to within 88 kills of 1,000 for her career. Amanda Adams followed with nine termination and Scott added seven. Adams posted a team-leading 13 digs, Bragg added 33 assists and Stephaney Fifield posted three service aces.
No. 17 Taylor (22-4, 10-2 CL) will return to Crossroads League play on Wednesday, October 13 for a 7:00 pm clash inside Odle Arena with RV Bethel (22-5, 8-4 CL).