IU Columbus volleyball coach Jose Olivo (sitting) talks to his team after its win against Brescia in Saturday’s regular-season finale at Ceraland.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
The IU Columbus volleyball team is heading into the offseason on a positive note.
The Crimson Pride ended their inaugural season on a winning note Saturday afternoon with a four-set victory against Brescia (Kentucky). IUC finished 7-16, including 4-15 in the River States Conference.
“I am actually satisfied with the way it went,” IUC coach Jose Olivo said. “I had an idea when I took this program, being a brand new program, it was to at least get a couple of wins. For a group of freshmen that we played with the entire season, it’s great to be able to win some games. So I’m very satisfied with the results.”
The Crimson Pride started the season 4-2, but then lost 14 of their next 16 games prior to Saturday’s victory. They played one of their best matches of the season in Friday night’s five-set loss to IU Southeast.
“Actually, I think everything started happening (Friday),” Olivo said. “We had an amazing game against IU Southeast. We went to five sets with them, which is a very good team and established for awhile.”
In Saturday’s 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 25-14 win against Brescia, Cora Baker recorded 14 kills and two aces; Mackenzie Broman had two block solo, two block assists and two aces and Madison Hunter notched 14 digs and two aces. Addison Lemon tallied 37 assists and two block solos, and Olivia Embry served two aces.
“It is nice to see how things are coming around, how these girls are leaving everything on the court,” Olivo said. “I’m so proud of these girls. I just can’t wait for next year. They have one year under their belt of experience.”
Brown County graduate Abigail Watson recorded seven kills and two digs for IUC. Columbus North graduate Logan Branstetter had three kills, one block solo and three digs; and fellow North grad Grace Barkes added two kills and one dig.
“Originally, I was super nervous being a team of all freshmen,” Branstetter said. “I feel like we were very underestimated. Although our record may not show it, I feel like we’ve worked really hard, and we’ve grown a lot as a team and I’m excited for next year to get some other girls in. We won’t be all freshmen. I think we really have competed this year, and I’m proud of everyone.”
Branstetter missed about three weeks with a back injury. Barkes was injured in the first conference game and was out for about a month before returning late in the season.
“I was little bit scared going against a bunch of juniors and seniors, but I think competing, we did really well,” Barkes said. “I think for a bunch of freshmen, we did really good just getting energy and getting a bunch of points.”
The Crimson Pride finished sixth in the RSC’s West Division. Only the top four in each of the two divisions make the RSC Tournament.
“That’s the target for next year — to make the conference tournament,” Olivo said. “I think that is going to happen. We’re getting good material coming in that are ready, and now that they have one year under their belt of experience, I think that we will be able to make it. That’s the goal.”
