The IU Indy volleyball team played its first home volleyball match of the season Sept. 11 against Bellarmine in the opening match of the Hampton Inn Invitational.
The Hampton Inn Invitational has been hosted by IU nearly every year since 2006 through a partnership with Hampton Inn Downtown. Each season, three Division I opponents join the Jaguars in a round-robin played over two or three days. This year’s field included Bellarmine, Northern Illinois and Gonzaga.
The night also marked the anniversary of Sept. 11 and celebrated the 50th volleyball team at IU Indianapolis.
The Jungle buzzed with music, squeaking shoes and volleyballs flying across the court during warmups. Fans, parents and students alike, started filling the stands, chatting as they waited for the first serve.
Bellarmine opened the invitational with the first point, followed by IU Indianapolis’ first home point. The teams traded rallies until the 18th point, when Bellarmine pulled ahead. A long rally at set point ended with a soft hit that fell on the Jaguar’s front court, giving Bellarmine the set.
IU Indianapolis players prepare to receive a serve during the Jaguars’ home opener against Bellarmine in the Hampton Inn Invitational on Sept. 11 at The Jungle.
The second set mirrored the first, with Bellarmine striking first and building a lead. IU Indianapolis cut the margin to one, but Bellarmine closed it out.
In the third, IU Indianapolis rallied from an early deficit to tie the score at 10, refusing to let Bellarmine pull away. The Jaguars dug out several difficult serves and blocked back-to-back attacks to swing the momentum. Both teams traded points in a tight stretch that had the crowd on its feet.
IU Indianapolis reached set point for the first time behind a strong service run, then clinched it on a decisive spike that Bellarmine could not control. The Jaguars took the set and kept their comeback hopes alive.
The fourth set brought even more intensity, with IU Indianapolis looking to tie the series and Bellarmine aiming to end the game. IU Indianapolis reached set point first, but Bellarmine forced a deuce and went on to win the fourth set 26-24 to win the match.
The match ended in a 1-3 loss (20-25, 20-25, 25-19, 24-26) for the Jags, whose record is now 4-5. Their next match will be at home against Eastern Michigan on Thursday Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
Citlali Sanchez is a senior majoring in sports journalism with a minor in sports marketing. In her free time she likes to go out for boba, watching anime and volunteering at sporting events in town.
Season opener win: Jaguars fight to the end
By Regina Graves | Nov. 25The Jaguars tipped off the first game of the 2025-26 season with a thrilling 64-61 victory over Indiana State on Nov. 3. In a game that kept fans on their feet until the final buzzer, the Jaguars proved that they were not only prepared for the upcoming season, but ready to make a statement.
IU Indianapolis men’s basketball falls short in home opener thriller
By Citlali Sanchez | Nov. 12After losing their season opener against Ohio State (118-102) on Nov. 3, the Jaguars were IU Indy Athletics looking to get their first win of the season on Nov. 6 at home against preseason top team in the Northeast Conference, Long Island University (LIU).
IU Indianapolis introduces new basketball head coach
By Nevaeh Hite | Nov. 5With the men’s basketball season underway, not only is there an entirely new roster, but a new head coach as well. Ben Howlett has become the 12 head coach for the men’s basketball team.
