Julia Sanders made her collegiate debut a successful one as Indiana University Kokomo volleyball finished 3-1 in the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament.
Sanders, a Triton Central graduate, closed out the event with a career-high nine digs for IU Kokomo in a 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 victory over Concordia University (Michigan) Saturday at Odle Arena at Taylor University.
IU Kokomo opened the 2022 season Friday with a 25-12, 25-16, 22-25, 27-25 win over St. Thomas University (Florida). Sanders finished with three service aces and four digs in her debut.
The Cougars followed the win with a 25-14, 25-16, 25-15 sweep of Clarke University. Sanders had two assists, one ace and six digs.
IU Kokomo’s only loss came to No. 22 ranked Taylor, the host school, 25-21, 23-25, 15-25, 25-22, 15-12. Sanders had two assists and eight digs in the loss.
Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.
Brooklyn Schiffli
The Triton Central graduate helped Jacksonville State’s volleyball team defeat its first “Power Five” school in nine seasons.
Jacksonville State collected wins over Chicago State, Indiana State and Indiana University this past weekend in Bloomington, Indiana.
On Friday, the Gamecocks topped Chicago State, 25-15, 26-24, 25-17. Schiffli had two assists and nine digs in the win.
Jacksonville State started its Saturday slate with a sweep of Indiana State, 25-13, 26-24, 25-11. Schiffli had one assist and six digs.
The Gamecocks closed out the event with a sweep of the Hoosiers on their home floor, 25-21, 26-24, 25-16. Schiffli had six digs.
“I’m really proud of the team,” said Jacksonville State head coach Todd Garvey. “To go 3-0 in a tough tournament, and to cap it off by sweeping a Big Ten (conference) team in their own gym says a lot about our team.”
Jacksonville State’s last win over a Power Five school came at the University of Tennessee in 2013.
Emma Nolley
The Shelbyville graduate made her collegiate volleyball debut Saturday in Jackson, Tennessee.
Texas Woman’s University finished 1-3 at the Union Volleyball Classic.
The Pioneers defeated Belmont Abbey in their season opener but lost to Mississippi College, Union and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Nolley took the court for the first time Saturday in the Pioneers’ 25-23, 25-14, 19-25, 20-25, 15-10 loss to Arkansas Monticello. She played in two sets but did not record a statistic.
