The league-leading Indy Ignite continued their dominant start to the season on Friday night, overcoming a resilient Grand Rapids Rise in four sets (25-18, 18-25, 25-17, 25-22). Playing before a crowd of 3,692 at the Fishers Event Center, the Ignite secured their third consecutive victory to close out a successful homestand. The win moves Indy to an impressive 6-1 record, marking the first time in franchise history they have sat five games above the .500 mark.

➡️  Ignite vs Rise photos

Indy’s balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Rise to handle, as every starting hitter and blocker for the Ignite finished in double figures. Opposite hitter Azhani Tealer led the charge with a match-high 16 kills and 11 digs, recording her third double-double of the season. Setter Mia Tuaniga, the reigning MLV Player of the Week, orchestrated the offense masterfully, tallying a season-best 56 assists to keep the Grand Rapids defense on its heels throughout the night.

Grand Rapids didn’t go down without a fight, particularly in a second set where they hit a clinical .370 to even the match. Rookie Alexis Shelton, making her first professional start in place of the ill Paige Briggs-Romine, impressed early with 11 kills and two blocks. However, the Rise suffered a significant blow in the fourth set when opposite hitter Lauren Jardine-Clark, who was leading the team with 14 points and 5 blocks, was forced to leave the match after landing awkwardly following a kill.

The final frame was a back-and-forth battle that saw the teams tied six times late in the set. With the score knotted at 22-22, the Ignite showed their championship composure, closing the match on a 3-0 run. A decisive kill from Tealer followed by a clinical ace from Cara Cresse – one of eight for Indy on the night – sealed the victory and kept the Ignite firmly in first place as they prepare to head out for a road stretch starting in San Diego.