Indy Ignite Wins A Thrilling Match In Columbus Improving To 2-0 For The Season, COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 17, 2026) – The Indy Ignite had several thrilling games in their first season of 2025. They added another exciting match tonight, defeating the Columbus Fury in a five-set contest that was close throughout and wasn’t decided until the Ignite secured the final point in a long and thrilling last set.
Indy won with scores of 25-23, 24-26, 25-18, 22-25, 22-20, improving to 2-0 in the early Major League Volleyball season. This was the third time the Ignite and Fury played a five-set match since last season, and the Ignite remain undefeated at 3-0 in these intense games.
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Ignite Head Coach Lauren Bertolacci
This win was the third time in a row that these teams played five sets, with the Ignite now having a flawless 3-0 record in those long matches. “I hope you all liked the show,” said a smiling Ignite head coach Lauren Bertolacci after the game, joking that she had “blacked out” during the intense final moments.
A Set-by-Set Battle of Momentum Swings
The game was full of ups and downs, with the energy shifting quickly from one side of the net to the other.
- Set 1 (25-23, Indy): The Fury jumped to a quick 5-1 lead, thanks to Flormarie Heredia Colon’s professional debut, where she scored the first point of the match. However, the Ignite remained calm, rallying around setter Mia Tuaniga and outside hitter Anna DeBeer to come back and win the first set.
- Set 2 (26-24, Columbus): The second set was intense, with both teams trading points and neither leading by more than two. Columbus relied on Raina Terry’s strong hitting and crucial plays from middle blocker Rainelle Jones to hold off the Ignite and level the match.
- Set 3 (25-18, Indy): Indy showcased their offensive skills in the third set, finishing with a strong 10-3 run. Their attack was nearly unstoppable, achieving an impressive .552 kill percentage to take back control of the match.
- Set 4 (25-22, Columbus): The Fury refused to give up easily and came back strong. They established an 11-4 lead and, after surviving a late rally from Indy, secured a crucial fifth set thanks to important kills from Heredia Colon and Terry.
- Set 5 (22-20, Indy): The last set was a dramatic display of volleyball. The teams fought off a total of seven match points – Columbus saved four, while Indy saved three. With the score tied at 20-20, Lydia Martyn from Indy took charge. She scored a kill to equalize, then made two consecutive blocks to clinch a memorable win for the Ignite.
Key Performers and Statistical Dominance
The game showcased exceptional performances that determined the result.
Frequently Asked Questions: Indy Ignite Wins A Thrilling Match In Columbus Improving To 2-0 For The Season
What was the final score of the Indy Ignite vs. Columbus Fury match?
The Indy Ignite won 3-2. The set scores were 25-23, 24-26, 25-18, 22-25, and 22-20
Who was the standout player of the match?
Indy Ignite’s middle blocker Lydia Martyn had an unforgettable night. She matched the MLV single-match record by achieving 10 blocks, which included two back-to-back blocks that secured the victory in the fifth set.
Is there a history of close games between these teams?
Yes. This was the third consecutive match between the Fury and Ignite to go to a decisive fifth set. The Ignite have won all three of these marathon encounters
Where to Catch the Ignite Next?
The Indy Ignite’s tough road trip to start the season ends with a key game against the current MLV champion Orlando Valkyries on Thursday, January 22. The game will be streamed live at 7 p.m. ET on WTHR+ and the MLV YouTube channel. Fans can then greet the team for their first home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 24, against the Omaha Supernovas.