MIDWAY, Ky. — The Midway University women's volleyball team will look to build on its recent success as the Eagles travel to Indiana for a pair of weekend matchups against IU Southeast and IU Columbus.
Midway opens the weekend Friday, Oct. 16, against IU Southeast at 6 p.m. in New Albany, Ind., before traveling to Columbus, Ind., to face IU Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m.
The Eagles enter the weekend with a 6-18 overall record and a 2-5 mark in River States Conference (RSC) play. IU Southeast enters at 7-12 overall and 4-3 in conference action, while IU Columbus brings a 15-6 overall record and a 3-4 RSC mark, according to the teams' latest available statistics.
LAST TIME OUT
Midway enters the weekend coming off a 3-0 road victory over Alice Lloyd College on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The Eagles earned the sweep with set victories of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-20, completing a season sweep of the Eagles from Pippa Passes.
The victory marked Midway's second consecutive win over Alice Lloyd this season after previously defeating the team in straight sets on Sept. 22 at Marshall Gymnasium.
Midway will look to carry that momentum into Friday's conference matchup against IU Southeast as the Eagles search for their third RSC victory of the season.
MIDWAY EAGLES
Under first-year head coach Sam Young, Midway has recorded 882 kills, 825 assists and 1,188 digs through 24 matches this season.
Freshman Allie McClanahan continues to lead the Eagles offensively, recording a team-high 192 kills while averaging 2.31 kills per set. McClanahan has also registered 18 total blocks and 49 digs.
Sophomore Mayson Delong has provided another consistent offensive option, totaling 166 kills while averaging 2.02 per set. Delong leads the team with 36 total blocks, including 13 solo blocks.
Junior Alyssa Medeiros has added 118 kills, while senior Nyla Gaines has contributed 96 kills and 18 total blocks.
Freshman setter Mayme Powell has played an important role in directing the Midway offense. Powell leads the Eagles with 406 assists, averaging 4.83 per set, while adding 140 digs and 25 service aces.
Junior Peyton Osteen has also contributed 284 assists and 106 digs this season.
Defensively, sophomore Marlee Laycock leads Midway with 239 digs, averaging 3.03 per set. Junior Blair Riney follows with 221 digs, while Aubry Kamholz has added 159.
The Eagles have recorded 138 service aces this season and will look to use their serving and defensive efforts to create opportunities throughout the weekend.
IU SOUTHEAST GRENADIERS
Midway's first opponent of the weekend, IU Southeast, enters Friday's contest with a 7-12 overall record and a 4-3 mark in River States Conference play.
The Grenadiers are led by second-year head coach Taylor Wilson-Evanczyk, who guided IU Southeast to a 19-8 record and an appearance in the RSC Tournament semifinals during her first season in 2025.
IU Southeast has recorded 794 kills, 748 assists and 1,100 digs through 19 matches this season.
Junior outside hitter Nicole Stratford leads the Grenadiers offensively with 223 kills, averaging 3.43 per set. Stratford has also recorded 204 digs, making her an important contributor on both sides of the ball.
Sophomore middle blocker Avynn Belding has added 188 kills, averaging 2.72 per set, while junior opposite Raegan Glover has contributed 120 kills and 21 total blocks.
Junior setter Carly Mason directs the IU Southeast offense, recording 576 assists and averaging 8.35 per set. Mason also leads the team with 32 service aces and has added 201 digs.
Defensively, Ella Davidson leads the Grenadiers with 205 digs, followed closely by Stratford with 204.
IU Southeast enters the matchup having split its previous two conference contests, earning a 3-0 victory over WVU Tech on Oct. 9 before falling to Rio Grande in four sets on Oct. 10.
IU COLUMBUS CRIMSON PRIDE
Midway will conclude its weekend trip Saturday against IU Columbus, which enters with a 15-6 overall record and a 3-4 mark in conference play, according to the statistics provided.
The Crimson Pride are led by third-year head coach Jose Olivo, who has guided the program since its inaugural season in 2024.
IU Columbus has recorded 887 kills, 841 assists and 1,251 digs this season.
Senior outside hitter Cora Baker leads the Crimson Pride with 182 kills, averaging 3.14 per set. Baker has also contributed 166 digs and 13 service aces.
Sophomore Mika Salinas has added 160 kills and 27 service aces, while freshman Kilani Jackson has contributed 133 kills.
Junior middle hitter Journee Brown has been a key presence at the net, recording 124 kills while hitting .324. Brown also leads the team with 34 total blocks.
Sophomore setter Bailey Stevens has directed the offense with 405 assists, averaging 5.47 per set. Stevens also leads IU Columbus with 42 service aces.
Defensively, senior Alyvia Luce leads the Crimson Pride with 201 digs, averaging 3.47 per set.
IU Columbus will look to use its balanced offensive attack and strong serving to challenge the Eagles in Saturday's matchup.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Midway enters the weekend averaging 10.50 kills and 14.14 digs per set, while recording 1.63 service aces per set.
IU Southeast averages 11.51 kills and 15.94 digs per set, while IU Columbus has recorded 190 service aces this season.
One of the keys for Midway will be limiting attacking errors while creating additional opportunities through its defense.
The Eagles have recorded 100 total blocks this season, led by Delong's 36 and freshman Morgan Broderick's 30.
With both opponents bringing different strengths into the weekend, Midway will look to build on its recent offensive production and defensive consistency.
About Midway University Athletics
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and its 29 athletic teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.
