SAINT CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood women's volleyball (4-2, 0-0 OVC) earned a hard fought four set victory over Missouri Valley opponent Indiana State (2-4, 0-0 MVC) on Saturday to close out the 2023 Lindenwood Invitational. Lions won 3-1 with set scores of: 18-25, 25-23, 25-20 and 25-23.

"Indiana State showed up to play today," said head coach Will Condon. "They were aggressive and connecting really well offensively. I thought we stepped up to the challenge and found ways to win points and sets. It was good for us to be challenged by a team playing well and still find a way to get the win."

Condon's team dropped the first set after only hitting a .025 with eight errors and nine kills. Lions and Sycamores went back and fourth up until it was 14-14 before ISU pulled away late to take the first set.

Addy McAleer had three of her team and season high 17 kills in the first while Ozge Tan and Jade Roth chipped in two each. Kaitlyn Hamilton on the outside for Indiana State had a set high five kills in the first.

The Lions stormed back in set two to even the match at 1-1 with a close 25-23 set victory. Lindenwood was able to go up 21-17 late and retained their lead to secure the point. McAleer had five kills in the set with Nyah Wilson and Rebecca Janke picking up four each. Libero Jessie Seidel had five digs and four assists in the set to help the Lions.

LU was able to pull away in the third set to hold a 2-1 advantage at Hyland Arena. The Lions had 13 kills in the set and two service aces from Wilson and McAleer. The defense stepped up and held ISU to a .116 hitting percentage, their lowest of the match.

Allie Otten (seven) and Abby VanBuskirk (four) combined for 11 assists in the third to help Lion hitters. Seidel added another seven digs in the set on defense while blockers put up three total blocks to help LU.

Lindenwood opened up the fourth and final set on fire with a 8-0 run that included three kills by Anna Kraemer and two service aces from Seidel. LU was able to hold on despite a comeback from the Sycamores that cut the lead late to 17-17. Lions pulled away late to earn their fourth win of the season.

McAleer ended the match with 17 kills and 12 digs which helped her earn All-Tournament team. Nyah Wilson also was selected to the team with eight kills and 19 digs in the win. Otten posted 26 assists for the Lions while Janke had 10 kills and three total blocks.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mikayla Powell - Austin Peay
Kelsey Mead - Austin Peay
Maggie Keenan - Austin Peay
Nyah Wilson - Lindenwood
Addy McAleer - Lindenwood 
Ella Scott - Indiana State
Brynn Botkin - UL Monroe

The Lions will be back in action for their first midweek matchup of the season as they take on Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 6:00 p.m. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com