Indianapolis, Ind. – The RMU women's volleyball team started its two-game road trip on Friday night, suffering a 3-0 defeat to IUPUI in conference action at The Jungle.

With the loss, the Colonials fall to 4-14 overall while posting a 1-6 mark in Horizon League action. Meanwhile, the Jaguars improve to 7-10 this season, with a 1-5 record in conference play.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
It was a stagnant start in the opening stanza as both teams struggled with their attack. The two squads traded the opening 10 points before IUPUI mounted a 4-2 run to hold a 9-7 advantage. RMU wouldn't shy away, as they responded by scoring six of the next nine points to grab its first lead of the set, 13-12. Freshman Natalie Stepanovich sparked the set with a kill, followed by successful swings from graduate student Rosina Esposito and junior Ashleigh Wallin. The Jaguars countered with four consecutive points before both teams traded the next six scores, 19-16 IUPUI. After an RMU timeout, the Jags posted a 5-3 surge before securing the set with a successful swing.

TWO-THREE
In the second frame, the Colonials jumped out to a 3-1 lead, thanks in part to a pair of kills from Esposito, before IUPUI rattled off five of the next eight points to hold a 6-5 advantage. After a block by freshmen Azra Eric and Katie Cook, the Jaguars carded a 5-1 surge to take an early lead midway through the set. RMU would respond by scoring four of the next six points to trim the IUPUI lead, 13-12. Stepanovich paced the charge with three kills while senior Emma Brown capped the surge with a successful swing. Later in the fame, the Colonials cut the Jags lead to one before IUPUI boosted a 7-1 surge to take a 2-0 set advantage. The Jaguars would use a surge by scoring 11 of the final 15 points in set three to claim the match. IUPUI posted 16 kills, with only two errors and a .424 attacking percentage in the final stanza.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Natalie Stepnaovich tied for the team lead with six kills while collecting 10 digs and one ace. Rosina Esposito also carded six successful swings and eight digs while collecting two service aces and one assist on the night. Emma Brown totaled five kills and two blocks while Ashleigh Wallin registered 12 assists and five digs. Katie Cook ended the night with eight assists and Allena Carmody tallied 13 digs and two assists against the Jags.

UP NEXT
It's a quick turnaround for RMU as they travel to Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, Oct. 7 for another Horizon League contest, with the opening serve schedule for 4:00 p.m.

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