Volleyball team shortens holiday break for road trip Hoosiers cut break short to tackle 2 games on road

The players on the volleyball team have their work cut out for them as the season concludes this weekend. After quick Thanksgiving celebrations, IU will tackle Michigan and Michigan State. The Hoosiers enter the break following a win against rival Purdue and regaining possession of the Monon Spike. \n"The one thing that I can say about this team is that we are competing through the end and everyone on the court is going hard," head coach Katie Weismiller said. "We are working harder and we are playing as a team. These two matches, going against Michigan and Michigan State on the road, they are really important for everyone and I know that the seniors want to get a win at Michigan and Michigan State. \n"If we can keep up the intensity and really focus on where we are right now and that's competing and playing hard for every point I think our opportunities are pretty good."\nThe Hoosiers' final two matches fall the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving break, but thanks to the coaching staff, the players will get to celebrate the holiday with their families.\n"This year, people are getting the chance to go home and see their families, which is wonderful because it's been probably been a long time for a lot of people," sophomore Melissa Brewer said.\n"We have practice really early Wednesday morning and then we get to share it with our families, which I think it is a wonderful move on the coaches part. I think it will be that much better if people get to see their moms and dads."\nThe competition looks fierce for the Hoosiers in East Lansing, Mich. After taking out the Hoosiers in four games in their last meeting, MSU has added two big wins to their record after knocking off No. 14 Penn State and No. 9 Ohio State, each in four games. MSU improved their record 18-7 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten. \nMichigan (12-13, 8-10 Big Ten) was another competitive match for IU. The Hoosiers battled the Wolverines to five games loosing 15-11 in the final game. Michigan is coming off two losses to Penn State and Ohio State this past weekend. \nAfter five games in their last meeting, the Hoosiers are looking at their match against Michigan with confidence. \n"These last two games we just have to go out there and we have nothing to lose," senior Laurie Gardner said. "We are gaining confidence every match and we have been playing pretty well so I think that we are definitely going to go in this with confidence. \n"We played them tight last game and we wished it would have gone the other way, but we just have to show them this time that we are the better team."\nBrewer version 4.0\nIt seems that Brewer has the right moves on and off the court, being one of six named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District V Volleyball Team. \nBrewer is majoring in biology and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Because of her accomplishments, she is eligible to be place on the Verizon Academic All-America team.\nThe team was chosen by the 1,800 members of the College Sports Information Directors of America . To be eligible for a vote, each athlete must start or play as a reserve at the varsity level and maintain a cumulative 3.20 or higher GPA.