IU volleyball vs. Minnesota, round two
The IU volleyball team looks to snap a six-match losing streak when it visits No. 12 Minnesota at 8 p.m. Friday.
A preview of the match as the Hoosiers (14-13, 3-10) play their second match against the Golden Gophers (17-7, 8-4):
When they last met
Minnesota swept the Oct. 4 meeting in Bloomington by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 26-24.
Where they stand now
The Golden Gophers stand third in the Big Ten and are ranked No. 12 in the AVCA top-25 poll, but they are now without All-American outside hitter Brook Dieter, who decided to leave the team.
The Hoosiers now reside at the bottom of the conference with a 3-10 mark.
Keys to the match
IU must neutralize All-American middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer, who shifted between middle and outside positions in the previous meeting between the teams and posted 13 kills at a team-best .435 hitting percentage. Aggressiveness at the net is crucial for the Hoosiers. Also, outside defense must be solid. Sophomore libero Caitlin Cox and outside hitters, senior Kelsey Hall and freshman Jordan Haverly, need to be ready to dig Gopher attacks.
Minnesota must provide Gibbemeyer with help on offense now that they are without Dieter. The Golden Gophers will likely attempt to exploit IU from the pins as they did in Bloomington. Receptions are also key as the Hoosiers are one of the Big Ten’s strongest serving teams.
Drew Allen is a junior majoring in journalism. He is the volleyball beat reporter.
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