University of Toledo
23-11,11-7MAC
No. 4 Indiana
24-7,14-6Big Ten
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Toledo Falls in First Round of NCAA Tournament to Indiana
12/4/2025 7:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Rockets conclude first season of Brian Wright era with 23-11 record and first-ever NCAA Tournament match
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Toledo women's volleyball team closed out its historic 2025 season by falling to No. 4 seed Indiana in the NCAA Tournament First Round, 3-0 (18-25, 15-25, 17-25) on Thursday evening in Wilkinson Hall.
The Rockets finish the season with a 23-11 record, posting the second-most wins in program history (1983 - 27 matches).
Sophomore Olivia Heitkamp led the Toledo offense with 11 kills, including five in the first set, for her 19th match this season in double-figures. Redshirt junior Sophie Catalano poured in seven terminations while redshirt sophomore Sierra Pertzborn chipped in six kills of her own.
Senior setter Kelsey Smith tallied 26 assists and a team-high nine digs. Sophomore Grace Freiberger and senior Macy Medors each totaled six digs.
Quoting Head Coach Brian Wright
We've had a pretty special season in the past 11-and-a-half months that I've been at Toledo. I am so proud of this team and how they played tonight's match. This team accomplished many great things this season, from leading the MAC in attendance, to winning their first MAC Tournament championship and playing in their first NCAA Tournament match. I want the team to understand that they are enough and capable to compete with the best teams and programs in this country.
Senior Anna Alford
(on the 2025 season)
This group has made Toledo history and it's been such a great season. We've been working so hard for the past 11-and-a-half months and we just wanted a chance to showcase our abilities on the court and the love that this team has for one another.
Senior Macy Medors
(on the future of the Toledo volleyball program)
Our program is built on being a family and there is a great atmosphere amongst everyone involved. The younger players will continue that tradition and help Toledo volleyball continue to grow to new heights.
Key Moments
- Olivia Heitkamp started the match with a kill as the Rockets and Hoosiers traded points early in the first set. Heitkamp's fifth kill of the set kept it even, 11-11, before two quick points from Indiana gave the Hoosiers a 15-12 lead at the media timeout. A block from Anna Alford and Heitkamp kept UT within four, 22-18, but a quick 3-0 run for the Hoosiers gave them the set win.
- Both sides went back-and-forth to begin the second set before Indiana jumped out to a 7-4 lead. A solo block from Jessica Costlow sent the Rockets on a 3-0 run to even the frame, 9-9. The Hoosiers responded with an 8-2 run of their own to take a seven-point advantage, 19-12. Kills from Heitkamp and Sophie Catalano put UT within five, 19-14, but Indiana took the set win with four-straight points.
- Catalano fired off a kill to give Toledo a lead in the third set, 4-3. A quick 3-0 surge by the Rockets, highlighted by a kill from Sierra Pertzborn and Catalano, kept Toledo ahead, 7-5. Two service aces and two kills from the Hoosiers put IU in front, 12-9, before Heitkamp and Catalano each buried terminations to even the frame, 13-13. Indiana went on a 3-0 run to retake the lead, 17-14. Catalano and Pertzborn combined for a second block to stay within three, 19-16, but the Hoosiers ended the match on a 6-1 run to take the win.
Follow the Rockets
Instagram: Toledo_VB
Twitter/X: Toledo_VB
Facebook: Toledo Volleyball
