Indy
Downs Columbus in Straight Sets to
Move
Record to Sizzling 11-2
COLUMBUS, Ohio, February 27, 2026.- The Indy Ignite continue to
“Light It Up” in Major League Volleyball, collecting records along
the way. Tonight, the Ignite beat the Columbus Fury in straight sets
to notch their fifth consecutive win, a new franchise best. The
sweep was also their fourth this season, already more than the team
managed in all of 2025.
A
proficient and aggressive offense powered Indy to the 25-21, 25-15,
25-23 triumph that boosted the team’s MLV-leading record to 11-2.
The Ignite attacked at a season-best pace, hitting at 46.0% on 36.0%
efficiency. Middle blocker Lydia Martyn pounded 10 kills in 15
attempts without an error to post season highs in kill percentage
and efficiency (each 67.0%). Outside hitter Anna DeBeer put down 12
kills on 26 tries, scoring the best efficiency (38.5%) of her
two-year pro career.
“Happy to win 3-0, it’s not an easy thing to do in this league,”
Ignite head coach Lauren Bertolacci said. “The girls did a good job
staying in the game. The game got a little bit messy for a minute
there, but we took control of it again and we were able to get the
win. Like I keep saying, every win’s really important; we’re not
going to take it for granted.”
The
Ignite broke away from an 11-11 tie in the first set with a 5-1 run
that put them in front for good. Columbus closed within one point
twice after that but a 4-1 Indy burst widened the gap once more, and
middle blocker Blake Mohler’s slide kill drilled home the
set-winning point. DeBeer had six kills and a block in the opener,
with setter Mia Tuaniga distributing 17 assists.
Tied
at 13 in set two, the Ignite scorched the Fury 10-2 the rest of the
way. Outside hitter Leketor Member-Meneh kept the Fury on their
heels, scoring seven points in the set on three kills, three service
aces and a block. Tuaniga chipped in nine assists and five digs,
with libero Elena Scott compiling seven digs and an assist.
The
final set had more back-and-forth action, with the teams exchanging
the lead several times until they were knotted at 22. DeBeer then
sandwiched a pair of kills around one from Mohler to close out the
Fury, who fell to 0-6 at home this season and 3-9 overall.
DeBeer led Indy in scoring with 13 points (12 kills, one block) as
she continues edging closer to full strength following the ankle
injury she sustained in the 2024 NCAA Championship semifinals with
Louisville.
“It
definitely felt like I was in a pretty good offensive rhythm and
that feels good,” she said. “Just getting my jumping higher and
getting that back helps my overall game, so I definitely think
(tonight) was one of the better ones. (The ankle) feels really good
right now. Hopefully, it continues to stay like that and I’m able to
get back. It’s been great recently.”
Martyn (10 kills, two blocks) and Member-Meneh (eight kills, three
aces, one block) followed DeBeer closely with 12 points apiece.
Scott equaled her season high for a fourth time with 15 digs and
Tuaniga finished with 36 assists.
“When we passed really well, Mia did a great job on distribution and
everyone was on a pretty high efficiency and kill percentage,”
Bertolacci noted. “We’re tough to beat when we’re able to do that,
and that’s good. Our attack today was really, really high level.”
Following three in a row on the road, the Ignite return home to
start a three-match homestand at Fishers Event Center. First up is
Omaha at 2 p.m. ET Sunday for the Mental Health Awareness-themed
match.
The
Fury travel to San Diego to face the Mojo on Sunday, March 1, at 7
p.m. EST. | 
