WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Grace College volleyball team fell to No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday in straight sets. 

The Wildcats (26-1, 13-1 Crossroads League) came in hot, carrying a five-game winning streak into the match; all victories came in straight sets.

Defensively, the Lady Lancers (15-15, 9-6 CL) hustled to slow down the IWU attack. Gina Novotny recorded 21 digs, and Grace Erwin chipped in 13 digs. 

Embracing the challenge, Grace came out strong. Jadyn Block stuffed the Wildcat attack at the net and pounded a kill to set the tone for a resilient first set. 

The teams traded blows until IWU took a five-point lead. But Grace battled back. Autumn Deshetsky served up an ace to produce momentum for the Lady Lancers.

Deborah Michalski kept the momentum going with a huge block at the net; the Lady Lancers went on to tie the game at 12. However, the Wildcats responded with four unanswered points. 

The Lady Lancers tried to rally; Gina Novotny produced an ace, and Makaela Lochmueller and Block continued to be dynamic at the net.

But the Wildcats never gave up their four-point cushion, taking the first set 25-21.

In the second set, IWU's attack was too much. The Wildcats' flurry of offense opened up a double-digit lead that only increased as they won the set 25-10.

Although the Lady Lancers began the third set with intensity, the pattern continued; the Wildcats went on a run, establishing an insurmountable lead. IWU ended the match with a 25-15 win.

Block, Lochmueller and Caroline Mayer each tallied five kills to lead the Lady Lancer offense. Grace was held to a .050 percentage offensively.

Alexa Hill notched 21 assists and seven digs. 

The Lady Lancers travel to Taylor next Wednesday, taking on the Trojans at 7 p.m.