Purdue Sweeps IU to Keep the Monon Spike

The Purdue Boilermakers (15-2)  held off the Hoosiers in three sets to win their seventh straight Monon Spike match.

In set one the teams traded points before Purdue got out to a 9-5 lead. IU drew within one, 11-10 but a 7-2 Purdue run didn't let them get any closer. Up 24-20 the Boilers needed three set points before they sealed the deal with a Annie Drews kill, winning 25-22.

Similar to the first set, whenever IU threatened Purdue strung together a run to keep them at bay. A 2-0 deficit quickly turned into a 7-3 advantage for the Boilers. The Hoosiers then cut the lead to two at 11-9. This time the Boilers used a 7-1 run to regain control of the set. Two Val Nichol kills helped the Boilers to extend their lead to eight, 22-14. Like they had done before though, IU came back with their own 7-1 run denying Purdue three times on set point. Ultimately though IU did themselves in with a foot fault; Purdue won 25-21.

Purdue saved their best for last and left no doubt as to who was going to come away with the Spike, as they controlled the third set. The Boilers started the set on a 9-1 run. IU was only ever able to cut the margin to five the rest of the way. Purdue closed the set on a 7-1 run, winning 25-14. Purdue outhit IU .345-.067.

Sam Epensa was the kill leader Wednesday night with 12. Annie Drews added 11. Azariah Stahl and Faye Adelaja both had nine. Epenesa, Drews, and Stahl all hit over .300 on the night. Adelaja also contributed 4 block assists. Libero, Amanda Neill, led the back row with 14 digs. Val Nichol had 34 assists.

The Hoosiers were led by Awele Nwaeze who hit .529 with 10 kills. Amelia Anderson had nine kills. Taylor Lebo struggled for IU hitting only .107 and committing four service errors. IU only tallied two blocks in the match.

Purdue faces IU again on Saturday in Bloomington.