RedHawks fall to rival Titans in straight sets

IU Northwest opened the match strong, with Amie Schutz firing off an early run of kills to help the RedHawks build a 6-3 lead. The Titans answered behind Kadence Brumitt and Emalee Maesch, closing the gap and eventually pulling ahead late. Schutz kept fighting, stringing together a stretch of kills and consecutive service aces to pull IU Northwest within one at 18-21, but the Titans closed it out, 25-22, to take the opening set.

South Bend carried that momentum into the second, opening with a service run that put the RedHawks in an early hole. Schutz and Gabi Lilovich answered to keep IU Northwest within range through the middle of the set, with Lilovich adding a service ace of her own, but the Titans' offense proved too much down the stretch, closing out a 25-20 win to take a 2-0 match lead.

The RedHawks made one more push in the third, with Kaelan Murphy and Schutz trading kills to stay within striking distance. IU Northwest pulled within one late at 21-22 behind a Murphy kill, but South Bend answered with the final points to complete the sweep, 25-22.

Schutz led all players with 13 kills on .370 hitting and a team-high 15.5 points, while Lilovich hit .353 with eight kills and 17 assists for 9.0 points. Murphy added five kills, and Trinitie Lintner chipped in two kills and a block assist.

The RedHawks are back home at the Savannah Center for their next match, with first serve set for 7 p.m. as IU Northwest hosts Saint Xavier. Fans are encouraged to come early for the mental health table in support of Kicking Against the Stigma, and to wear red and green in support of the RedHawks and student-athlete mental health awareness as the team recognizes Student-Athlete Mental Health Week.