The IU volleyball team opened the T.I.S. College Bookstore IU Invitational with a loss Friday.
The Hoosiers (9-3) fell to Western Michigan in four sets by scores of 22-25, 24-26, 25-19 and 23-25.
"It was a little bit frustrating," IU volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar said of the match. "I felt like we struggled all night and never really got into a rhythm."
IU dropped the first set late and then trailed 8-15 in the match's second contest before freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly registered three straight service aces to bring the Hoosiers back within three.
The Hoosiers were able to rally and take the lead in the second, but Western Michigan forced extra points and took the set.
The third set remained close until IU won four straight points on kills by senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall and graduate student right-side hitter Whitney Thomas as well as a service ace by sophomore libero Caitlin Cox and a shared block by Thomas and junior middle blocker Ashley Benson. The Hoosiers held on to win the set.
IU and Western Michigan went back-and-forth in the fourth set before the Broncos opened up the lead late, holding on to seal the win.
The Hoosiers will play two more matches Saturday, the first at 10 a.m. against Alabama A&M and the second at 7 p.m. against North Carolina A&T.
