Battle for the Monon Spike

Tonight is an important and emotional night for the Hoosiers, as the women's volleyball team takes on the Purdue Boilermakers at 7 p.m. in the annual match for the Monon Spike. It will also be the last time seniors Laurie Gardner, Crecia Keithley and Meghan Stout play on their home court at the University Gymnasium.\nPurdue travels to Bloomington with a 4-21 record and is 1-15 in the Big Ten. Iowa is the only Big Ten school the Boilermakers have defeated so far. Earlier this season, the Hoosiers, 7-17, 4-12 in the conference, defeated the Boilermakers 3-0. Leading the Boilermakers in their most recent game against Iowa was Purdue sophomore Joanna Lowry, who had 17 kills and 14 digs.\nCoach Katie Weismiller said each team has improved since their match up earlier in the season.\n"For us, our passing is better and our serving is better," Weismiller said. "Defensively last Saturday night we saw a lot of improvement. I feel very confident in our improvement."\nThe Hoosiers and Boilermakers will not only be playing for a win, but also playing for the Monon Spike, a traveling trophy that symbolizes the rivalry between the two schools since 1975. The Monon Spike is currently in the Boilermakers' possession, but the Hoosiers hope to bring it home tonight to the Assembly Hall trophy case.\n"Purdue has the Monon Spike and we'd love to get it back," Weismiller said. "I think because we've beaten Purdue once this season, the confidence is already there and we definitely can win the trophy back."\nGardner said she remembers playing Purdue in previous years and says it's always been an exciting game.\n"It's always been a big thing," Gardner said. "I remember a few years ago when we had the gym packed for the Purdue game. It was just so fun. You can throw out the record because everyone is just ready to play and both teams want to win so bad."\nTonight is also senior night for the Hoosiers. Seniors and their parents will be recognized before the game.\n"Our seniors are a great group of people," Weismiller said. "We're going to lose a lot in terms of leadership and defense. I think what's probably the most frustrating thing is to have this group go through a senior year and not accomplish the goals that we set."\nStout said she has mixed feelings about her last home game at IU.\n"It feels really good going into this last game, but it's hard at the same time because I'm a senior," Stout said. "It's scary to think that it's all going to be over with here soon."\nGardner agreed.\n"It's going to be really sad, it's been such a great three years," Gardner said. "We'd like to end it all on a good note. I think all the seniors are really excited to play Purdue at home for our last home game at IU, and it's also going to be emotional. It's the last time we will ever play together"