IU Columbus’ Olivia Embry listens to instruction from coach Jose Olivo during a break in a match against Shawnee State Friday at Ceraland in Columbus.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Friday night’s four-set loss to Shawnee State was in some ways a microcosm of the way the inaugural volleyball season has gone for IU Columbus.
The Crimson Pride started strong, but couldn’t quite sustain it and eventually dropped a 22-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-20 River States Conference decision.
“I think that is one of the things we have struggled with the whole season,” IUC coach Jose Olivo said. “We always are very close. It seems to me that we just need that last push to cross the goal line, and that’s what we have to continue working on. Consistency is our issue sometimes. We’re not consistent for the whole game.”
Shawnee State led most of the first set before the Crimson Pride (5-12, 2-11) rallied to win that set. IUC then led 8-5 in the second set before the Bears took control.
Shawnee State jumped out to 9-2 leads in both the third and fourth sets. The Crimson Pride rallied to within 23-18 and 24-20 in the fourth before the Bears closed it out.
“Something we need take into consideration is, this is a group of freshmen,” Olivo said. “Continuing strong through the whole game comes with maturity.”
Cora Baker led IUC with 10 kills, one block assist and 15 digs. Addison Lemon recorded 26 assists, Mackenzie Broman had one block assist and Logan Branstetter and Madison Hunter each served two aces.
Branstetter, a freshman from Columbus North, was making her return after missing several matches with a back injury.
“Logan has a service that is hard to pass, and that is why we had her serving at least,” Olivo said. “Her serve is really good, and she scores some aces. Once she gets back in shape, she will see that improve.”
Grace Barkes, another freshman from North, added two kills and two digs for the Crimson Pride. Abigail Watson, a freshman from Brown County, tallied nine kills.
IUC has six matches remaining in the regular season, beginning with today’s noon contest with Alice Lloyd (Kentucky) at Ceraland. The Crimson Pride also will be home at 7 p.m. Friday vs. St. Mary-of-the-Woods, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 vs. IU Southeast and Noon Nov. 4 vs. Brescia (Kentucky).
IUC currently is in sixth place in the River States Conference West Division. The top four in each division make the conference tournament.,
“We still have a shot,” Olivo said. “We have two games that are going to be manageable and then a couple more that we have to sweat for.”
