The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team fell just short in its season opener on Friday in Indianapolis, Ind. The Prairie Stars fell in five sets at Indianapolis.
 
After dropping the first set by a score of 25-16, the Prairie Stars got their offense going in sets two through four. UIS won the second and third sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-14, respectively. In the fourth set, the Prairie Stars had a chance to close out the match with two match points, but Indianapolis scored three of the final four points for a 29-27 win.
 
In the deciding fifth set, UIS jumped out to an early lead and had a 9-5 advantage at one point. Indianapolis went on a match-changing 7-1 run. The two teams were still tied at 13, but back-to-back kills gave the Greyhounds the match.
 
UIS led most of the statistical categories, including hitting .251 and having 12 blocks. The Greyhounds had 11 more digs in the contest, as well as two additional kills.
 
The Prairie Stars got a balanced offensive effort in the game. Kenzie Hendon led the team with a double-double of 15 kills and 14 digs, and she also had a team-high 18 points. Ryleigh Warfel had 11 kills, and Brianna Bush, Megan Krasowski, and Zanea Spencer all finished with 10.
 
Regan Trueblood had a team-high 24 assists, one more than Becca Blakeley. Double-figure dig totals were reached by Krasowski, Trueblood, and Amanda McConnell. Bush had a team-high seven blocks, two more than Spencer.
 
UIS will return to the court on Saturday afternoon at Southern Indiana.