The IU volleyball team lost another five-set marathon Saturday, its second such defeat of the season at the hands of Northwestern.
The Hoosiers (14-12, 3-9) had seven match points in an epic fifth set before falling to the Wildcats (13-11, 4-8). Northwestern won by scores of 23-25, 25-18, 25-17, 17-25 and 24-22.
Northwestern junior middle blocker Sabel Moffett provided more of the same against IU with 23 kills at a .381 hitting percentage and six total blocks.
Four Hoosiers registered double-digit kills; senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall led the team with 18. Sophomore libero Caitlin Cox had 21 digs to lead IU defensively.
The Hoosiers emerged victorious from a back-and-forth first set but allowed the Wildcats to cruise in the second and third frames, finding themselves in another deficit heading into the fourth.
IU found a rhythm early in that set, building a 7-2 lead sparked by a long rally saved by Cox and freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula and won on sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin's drop shot. The Hoosiers won 25-17 and forced the second straight five-set match for both teams.
The decisive frame went far beyond the "race to fifteen" as the teams traded match points into the twenties. IU had seven chances to seal the victory, but Northwestern responded each time. At 22-22, the Wildcats took control on a kill that IU considered questionable and won the subsequent point to claim the match.
The win was Northwestern's second straight in a five-set match and its second straight against the Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers return to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. in University Gym against Purdue. IU defeated the Boilermakers in five sets in West Lafayette Sept. 30.
