The IU South Bend Titans kicked off their 2026 volleyball season with a strong four-set win over Huntington, scoring 25-22, 25-15, 19-25, 26-24. In their later match, they faced a setback against St. Mary-of-the-Woods, losing in straight sets (23-25, 16-25, 15-25). Key performances included Kadence Brumitt's impressive debut, leading the team with 16 kills in the opener, and a solid contribution from Emalee Maesch and Alyssa Carson, each with 12 kills. Overall, the Titans showcased their potential and resilience despite the mixed results on the first day of the Forester Invite.

By the Numbers
  • Kadence Brumitt recorded 16 kills with a .244 hitting percentage in the opener.
  • Emalee Maesch and Alyssa Carson each added 12 kills for IU South Bend.
  • IU South Bend hit .333 in the second set against Huntington, their highest efficiency for the day.
  • Across both matches, Carson accumulated 21 kills and Brumitt totaled 24 kills.
Yes, But

While the Titans celebrated a strong start against Huntington, their defeat to St. Mary-of-the-Woods highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in maintaining momentum during critical phases of the match.

State of Play
  • The Titans are 1-1 after the first day of the Forester Invite.
  • They will face two additional opponents on Saturday: Wilberforce and IU Columbus.
What's Next

The Titans are poised to bounce back in their next matches, with opportunities to refine their strategy and capitalize on their attacking strengths against Wilberforce and IU Columbus.

Bottom Line

Despite a split in their opening day, the Titans displayed promising offense and adaptability, setting the stage for potential growth as they continue in the Forester Invite.