BOULDER, Colo. – Laura Gross put down a season-high 16 kills, Damadj Johnson added 10 kills and four blocks and Indiana State found a way to finish in a 3-1 win over Portland State in the final match of the Colorado Classic at the CU Events Center in Boulder Saturday night.

Gross, who was one dig away from her 31^st career double-double, hit a solid .289 in the match to lead the Sycamores (7-5).
 
Portland State (1-11) was led by the 20 kills from the hand of Jenna Mullen while the Vikings had three in double-digit kills.
 
The win moved Indiana State to 4-1 on neutral courts this year and concluded non-conference play as the Sycamores will return home to open the Missouri Valley Conference slate on Friday.
 
SET 1 – Indiana State 25, Portland State 17

• Laura Gross and Cassie Kawa led ISU with four kills each in the set.
• ISU hit .317 in the set compared to Portland State's .154.
• Devynn Merriman led the defensive effort with eight digs in the set.

SET 2 – Portland State 25, Indiana State 21

• Indiana State rallied back from 16-11 deficit to tie the match at 21-21 before Portland State ended the set on a 4-0 run.
• Damadj Johnson and Laura Gross each posted three kills to lead ISU in the set.
• Portland State out-blocked Indiana State, 4-1, and out-hit the Sycamores, .263 to .189.

SET 3 – Indiana State 27, Portland State 25

• The Sycamores held a 24-20 lead before Portland State rallied off four-straight points to force extra play.
• A Nikkie White kill broke a 25-25 tie. Cassie Kawa and Rhiannon Morozoff combined for a block to clinch the set win for the Sycamores.
• Indiana State out-hit Portland State in the set, .314 to .140.
• Reversing the previous set, ISU out-blocked the Vikings, 4-1.

SET 4 – Indiana State 25, Portland State 23

• This set featured a thrilling 11 ties and six lead changes.
• Portland State hung around for three match points before ISU secured the win on the fourth with a Laura Gross kill.
• Devynn Merriman served up both of her aces in the set.
• Indiana State registered three out of the matches six aces in the final set.
• Jade York led ISU's defensive effort with 10 digs in the frame.

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 1-0 all-time against Portland State.
• The Sycamores are now 4-1 on neutral courts this season.
• ISU is now 3-0 in four-set matches in 2018.
• Indiana State has a 4-0 mark this year when hitting .250 and above as a team.
• Laura Gross registered a season-high 16 kills.
• Devynn Merriman was credited with a season and career-best 14 digs.
• Makayla Knoblauch posted a season and career high .600 hitting percentage (min. 10 attempts).
• Jade York registered a career-high eight assists.

NEXT UP
Indiana State begins Missouri Valley Conference play at ISU Arena when the Sycamores host Valparaiso on Friday, Sept. 21. That match is Pop Socket Night with 100 free Sycamore Volleyball pop sockets being given away.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.