IU takes 2 of 3 matches but loses TIS Invitational

Starting strong is only good if you finish the job thoroughly.

Such a lesson was learned by the IU volleyball team at this weekend’s TIS Bookstore IU Invitational.

After opening the tournament with convincing victories against George Mason and Ball State on Friday, IU ran into a wall Saturday against Cincinnati.

The Saturday result meant an undefeated tournament championship effort for Cincinnati.

Freshman Mary Chaudoin said she thought the Hoosiers could have played better against the Bearcats.

“We are not satisfied (with our play),” Chaudoin said. “While Cincinnati played with heart, we are not satisfied and should have gone 3-0.”

IU got off to a 7-0 lead in the first set of the Cincinnati match, but things went downhill from there, as the Bearcats won 11 of the next 14 points en route to winning in straight sets 25-21, 25-21 and 25-19.

Sophomore Ashley Benson said she thought the match showed the Hoosiers have room for improvement.

“This weekend was an eye-opener for us,” Benson said. “We knew it would be tough, but we didn’t bring the play we needed to.”

To open the tournament, IU struggled in a 25-19 loss in the opening set against George Mason but rebounded to win the next three sets and the match.

The Ball State match was more of the same, as IU won in straight sets before Saturday’s disappointment against Cincinnati.

One area in which IU won all weekend was at the gates, as they totaled more than 2,400 fans for the three matches, including more than 1,000 spectators for both the Ball Sate and Cincinnati matches.

Sophomore Taylor Wittmer was excited to see support for the team.

“I enjoyed the crowd, and it was amazing to see that many people in the stands,” Wittmer said.

Things will not get any easier next Friday and Saturday when IU opens Big Ten play at University Gym.

The team will face No. 23 Illinois on Friday before archrival No. 20 Purdue comes calling Saturday.

Chaudoin thinks the team needs to play with a sense of urgency in these matches.
“We have to practice hard, battle and want each and every point,” she said.