Big Ten heats up; leadership steps up

Coming off a second place finish in last weekend's T.I.S. Bookstore Invitational, a young IU women's volleyball team will open conference play at home Friday against two rivals to the north.\nWith more than half the team composed of freshmen, senior captains Mandy Eberle and Rachel Gerling will look to lead the team -- many of whom will be seeing Big Ten play for the first time -- against Michigan State and Michigan this weekend.\n"Everybody has fantasized about playing in the Big Ten," said Eberle, middle blocker for the squad. "We need to come together and get the job done." \nEberle mentioned that age means nothing when you have a group of girls with their eyes on the prize. She said each game for the Hoosiers is a new chance to show what they've got, and they are taking control of the net with every chance they get. \n"We keep hyping the girls up because we always talk about how close the Big Ten will be here. That enthusiasm is definitely rubbing off on them," Gerling said.\nWith less and less room for error in Big Ten play, Gerling and Eberle know their position as leaders will be tested.\n"We can't have an off day," Eberle said. "There's no excuse for not keeping our game strong at every point." \nThe Hoosiers have good reason to keep their energy at a high level: they are making their mark all across the board. Freshman outside hitter Erica Short has been solid, averaging four kills per game, while Gerling follows closely behind her, with an average of 3.33 kills each game. Gerling has recorded a .75 serving ace average combined with 3.03 defensive digs each time she walks onto the court. Laura Holm, a freshman setter, has also been a steady contributor with nearly 12 assists per contest.\n"Entering the Big Ten, we're sitting well," said IU head coach Katie Weismiller. "We're young, but that's not stopping us." \nWeismiller added that Gerling and Eberle have been exceptional instructors, and she has felt comfortable relying on them since day one of practice.\n"There's a lot of competition coming our way," Gerling said. "But I think we're going to give them plays they haven't anticipated from us yet." \nThe Hoosiers begin competition against the Spartans at 7 p.m. Friday at University Gym and continue at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Wolverines.