FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Rhiannon Morozoff registered a career-high 13 kills and was one of three Sycamores in double-digit kills as Indiana State battled out a 3-1 win over Liberty in the opening match of the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational Friday morning.
 
But as impressive as the total kills (53) were for the Sycamores (1-0) – more than all but three non-conference matches from a year ago – it was the defense that made the most impact. In all, four Indiana State players tallied double-digit digs, including a career-best 20 digs by Jade York against the Flames (0-1).
 
Laura Gross, the lone senior for Indiana State, a double-double as she registered 12 kills and 18 digs, as did freshman Makayla Knoblauch, posting 47 assists and 14 digs. Damadj Johnson also led the Sycamores with 13 kills while freshman Melina Tedrow registered 11 digs.
 
Set scores were 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 and 25-19.
 
FIRST SET – Indiana State 25, Liberty 23

• This back-and-forth set featured nine ties and three lead changes.
• Indiana State hit .239 to Liberty's .131.
• Despite leading in hitting percentage, ISU trailed in nearly every other statistical category in the set but still claimed the win.
• ISU trailed 16-13 before going on a 4-1 run that included four straight kills by Morozoff, causing Liberty to call timeout.

SECOND SET – Liberty 25, Indiana State 20

• This set was even closer with a total of nine ties and five lead changes.
• Neither team was effective offensively as Liberty led in hitting with a .069 percentage compared to ISU's .030.
• The Sycamores doubled the Flames in total blocks, 3.0-1.5.
• Laura Gross led the Trees with four kills while Makayla Knoblauch registered five digs and six assists.
• With Indiana State leading 17-16, Liberty would go on a 5-1 and not relinquish the lead after that point.

THIRD SET – Indiana State 25, Liberty 23

• Indiana State claimed the set despite trailing in hitting (.130 to .095) and being even in total blocks (3.0 to 3.0).
• The Sycamores started the set on a 9-3 run and never trailed.
• Madeline Williams's kill gave the Sycamores set point at 24-21 but the team would need three tries and a timeout before clinching the set.

FOURTH SET – Indiana State 25, Liberty 19

• The Sycamores hit a match-best .298 in the final set to Liberty's .103.
• Indiana State dominated in digs in the set, 21 to 12.
• Damadj Johnson registered six of her 13 kills in the fourth set and hit .500 (6-1-10).

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 2-0 all-time against Liberty. Both meetings have come on neutral courts with the last taking place in 1991.
• The Sycamores have now won their season-opening match for the second consecutive year and each season under the direction of Lindsay Allman.
• Laura Gross (12 kills, 18 digs) notched her 23^rd career double-double.
• Rhiannon Morozoff's 13 kills marked a career-high, besting the previous high of nine she registered at Evansville on Oct. 8, 2016.
• Makayla Knoblauch and Madeline Williams started in the match in their first career collegiate appearances.

UP NEXT
Indiana State at Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.
 
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