MOON TOWNSHIP– It’s been a Horizon League season to forget so far for the Colonials (8-8. 1-3 Horizon), with only one set victory to show in their previous three conference affairs.

Dale Starr’s team looked to get back on track as they faced the IUPUI Jaguars (2-14, 0-5) on Saturday afternoon, and they certainly did, notching a three-set sweep.

“It feels like we got a monkey off our back,” head coach Dale Starr said. “I think we’re finally learning what it takes to compete in this conference. That’s a team that took Cleveland State took to five [sets] at Cleveland State so that’s a good solid win for us. That’s a team that is better than their record.”

The first set started rocky for the Colonials, down 6-1 early, but immediately came back with a 5-0 run to tie it. After being down 8-7 in the set, it was all Colonials from there. They exploded to a 7-0 run and the Jaguars had nothing to stop the offensive display. The Colonials sparked another 5-0 run to eventually win the set 25-17.

The second set was closer than the first. Both teams certainly did not have a significant edge throughout as no one had a lead bigger than two. That was until a 4-0 run by the Colonials late in the set gave them a 21-17 lead. That was no match for the Jaguars as the Colonials won set two as well 25-23.

The Colonials took a 6-5 lead early and never gave it up with their biggest lead being five. A dominating display made the Colonials look like the better team throughout the match and the set. RMU pulled through sweeping the Jaguars with a 25-19 third set win.

“I hope they learn a lesson and continue and start to figure some things out. We have a tough one on Tuesday coming up against one of the better teams in the conference, so we will see if they learn any lessons.”

Alyson Londot was a difference-maker for the Colonials with five kills and a block, but it wasn’t just her Coach Starr was praising on Saturday afternoon.

“She was great today. We also put other people in there. She’s a fifth-year senior and just had knee constructions so we’re trying to rest her as much as possible. Abby Ryan did a good job coming in. Annie Monaco had a great match as well. Our pin hitters did a really good job tonight.”

The Colonials will be on the road for all but two games this month. Coach Starr addressed how the team will prepare away from home.

“Tonight and next Friday are our only games are the only matches we have left in October at home, so we have to figure out how to get on the road and be good and take the energy we have here and translate to being on the road.”

The Colonials’ next game will be in Highland Heights, Kentucky, home to the Northern Kentucky Norse (6-6, 2-1) Tuesday at 6:00 pm.