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Softball

Coach begins IU career with California tourney

The IU softball team gets its season started out west this weekend in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament, hosted by UCLA.

The Hoosiers will be put to the test early, taking on No. 25 San Diego State at noon Friday.

After a 16-35 overall record and 6-14 record in the Big Ten last season, the Hoosiers will look to rebound under first-year head coach Michelle Gardner.

Gardner was the head softball coach at Nevada before coming IU. With the experience of spending six seasons with the Wolfpack, Gardner knows how to get the most out of her players.

“They have to trust me and my staff, and they have to trust each other,” Gardner said.

A tournament in California could be what this team needs to start depending on one another.

But with the Hoosiers still practicing inside the roof at Mellencamp Pavillion, they will be playing on a real field for the first time all year and against some of the nation’s best.

“Everybody steps out onto the field the same way,” Gardner said.

On the field, the Hoosiers will be led by returning senior shortstop Emily Bergeson as well as sophomore starting pitcher Sara Olson.
–By Conner O’Gora

Men's swimming & diving

Team heads for ‘IU North’

The men’s swimming and diving team heads north Friday for Saturday’s noon dual meet against in-state rival Purdue with objectives that go beyond victory.

The Boilermaker Aquatics center is not only host to the final regular season meet for both schools, but the center will also be the site for the Big Ten Championships in February, a meet the Hoosiers say they plan to prepare for Saturday.
 
“Everyone in the conference wants to get up to Purdue,” IU coach Ray Looze said in regard to testing out the West Lafayette facilities. “It’s a factor everyone is dealing with.”

IU currently ranks No. 7 nationally and second to No. 3 Michigan in the Big Ten.
Looze said the Hoosiers must not look past the No. 16 Boilermakers.

“They are extremely good in diving, possibly the best diving team in the country,” he said, adding the need for solid performances from all 24 Hoosiers competing tomorrow. “They are probably better than their ranking. I would have them ranked top ten.”

Senior Steffan Troxel agrees. 

“It is important not to look too far ahead,” he said. “We have to focus on the task at hand.” 

Looze, however, did express confidence.

“Most of our guys except for the freshmen are familiar with Purdue’s facilities,” he said. “We like it and swim well there. It’s like IU North.”
– By Kevin Loughery

Women’s Basketball

IU celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day

The IU women’s basketball team will face Illinois on Sunday with the chance to avenge an earlier loss and also to celebrate women in sports.

On Sunday, the IU Department of Athletics will hold National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

The doors to Assembly Hall will open at 10:30 a.m. with the game against the Illini tipping off at 12:30 p.m.

IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack, who said she did not have many female role models growing up, said it’s important for her athletes to serve their community.

“I think role models are important,” she said. “I think that kids come in and watch our young ladies, and we are role models. If you come watch us, you can dream about becoming something bigger than yourself because that is what our young ladies play for. Anytime you can come out, I think any kid should come out and see us play.”

Fans will have the chance to meet IU athletes and travel around Assembly Hall to stations about women’s health, fitness, academics and career opportunities.

Senior Amber Jackson said she is happy to being doing this for kids.

“Coach Jack always has a saying about playing hard and giving everything you have for that little girl sitting in the corner watching you play who admires you and wants to be like you one day,” Jackson said. “Every day I’m out here I always think about looking up in the stands, and there are always so many little girls and boys who I know would love to be us one day.”
– By Jeremy Rosenthal

Women’s Tennis

Hoosiers aim to stay undefeated

Three doubleheaders and six home wins into the spring season, the No. 30 Hoosiers are still undefeated.

They will put that streak to the test when they travel to Durham, N.C., this weekend.
Last weekend, the Hoosiers dominated their non-conference double header, losing only one match out of fourteen against Maryland and Butler.

Although this weekend’s match will be a non-conference one as well, both opponents are ranked.

IU plays their first match against No. 9 Duke on Friday.

“Duke’s going to be a really tough match,” IU coach Lin Loring said. “They just got the No. 1 junior in the country. She graduated high school early and started in January. They were good before, but now they’re really good.”

After a top-ranked matchup Friday, the Hoosiers’ weekend will not get any easier. On Saturday, the Hoosiers compete against No. 53 Princeton.

“Princeton – they have a really good recruiting class,” Loring said. “They’re very much improved. The fact that we’re going to play them – their first match, our second – is going to be a bit of a disadvantage for us.”

While the past double headers have brought some solid matches in singles play, the Hoosiers have had some close fights for the doubles point.

Loring said the biggest thing he wants to see this weekend is better doubles play.
“I just want us to use some of the strategies we’ve been talking about a little better,” Loring said. “Our shot selection hasn’t been as good as it could be in the doubles. These players are going to be so good. It’s going to be a little hard to compare to previous weeks.”

With their first real test of the season before them, the Hoosiers will look to end the weekend with their perfect record intact.

“Duke will be the best non-conference team we’ll play this year,” Loring said. “Win or lose, we’ve been competing very hard, and I want to see that this weekend.”
– By Stephanie Kuzydym

Water Polo

Rough waters, ranked competition await Hoosiers in California

The IU water polo team will compete in the Stanford Invite this weekend in Palo Alto, Calif., and will face some the toughest competition of the season. 

The No. 19 Hoosiers will play No. 2 Stanford and No. 7 Arizona State on Saturday, and will take on No. 1 USC on Sunday. 

IU coach Barry King said the matches this weekend will provide good measures of his team.

“Well, we play No. 1, No. 2 and No. 7, so it’s really hard,” King said. “We’re getting tested against the best.”

However, sophomore Kelsey Campbell said she thinks the tough competition the team battled in the season-opening Michigan Kick-Off will help them this weekend.

“Definitely, there we played UCLA and Cal, two of the other top four teams in the country,” Campbell said. “We’re really getting tested these first two tournaments, and I think it’s good because it’s forcing us to step up our game.”

To prepare for a team as good as USC, King has used different practice techniques to try to duplicate their speed and power.

“We’ll add an extra player on one side,” King said. “We’ll play six versus seven to get an idea.” 
– By Andrew Wyder

Track & Field

Team finds itself away from home for first time this indoor season

It is finally time for the Hoosiers to leave the comforts of the Harry Gladstein fieldhouse this weekend.

After four straight home meets to open the season, IU heads on the road to South Bend this Friday and Saturday for the Meyo Invitational.  

IU coach Ron Helmer said being in South Bend will present new challenges for the team it has not previously faced.

“There are several events that we haven’t competed in yet,” Helmer said. “This is also an oversized track and has good competition on it.”

Senior distance runner Wendi Robinson is one of those people competing in a new event this weekend.

“We’re running in a distance medley,” Robinson said. “There are four of us competing in the event, and we are each running different lengths.”

Also of note for the Hoosiers, senior Jeff Coover picked up the Big Ten Co-Field Athlete of the Week award for his performance in the pole vault last weekend. Coover is the second Hoosier to win the award this year.

Senior Tiffany Howard also picked up the award for the week of Jan. 12 for her performance in shot put. 
– By Ari Shifron

Wrestling

IU looking to build momentum against rival Purdue

According to IU coach Duane Goldman, collegiate rivalries are why you play the game, especially those carrying the kind of energy and tradition as IU and Purdue.

The No. 20 Hoosiers (13-4-1) head into Friday’s matchup with the No. 25 Boilermakers (11-2-1) at University Gym in Bloomington in search of their first outright conference win and the momentum to aid them down the stretch of a rigorous Big Ten schedule.

Sophomore Paul Young, at 165-lbs., felt the momentum from this match would be huge for its winner. 

“Any kind of momentum you can get in the Big Ten is nice, especially if it’s against your rival,” Young said. 

Aside from the fact that the meet pits two nationally-ranked rival squads against each other, Goldman felt each match is a toss-up and will require a cohesive performance from his team to get that first conference victory. 

“Basically, we’re right there. This week, every match is a swing match,” Goldman said. “We need a full team effort and to have everyone do what they’re capable of.”

IU has won three out of the last five meets against Purdue. The Hoosiers won each year from 2005-2007. This year, Purdue brings four ranked wrestlers into the meet that are a combined 93-16 on the year (.853).

IU senior Andrae Hernandez, at 141-lbs., felt such strength in the conference makes any win a quality one. 

“We’re both going to bring our best,” Hernandez said. “Any Big Ten dual meet is always a good win.” 
– By Frank Therber

Women’s Golf

Hoosiers head for sunny Puerto Rico

After dropping their first match of the spring season to Wisconsin, the Hoosiers resume tournament play in the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Competitors in the tournament include Big Ten rivals No. 15 Purdue and No. 45 Michigan. IU assistant coach Katie Brophy said her squad is prepared to send a message to its competition.

“The field is stacked with many high-caliber teams,” Brophy said, “And we would like to showcase our talent and show that we can compete with some of the best teams in the country.”

Four Hoosiers – senior Amber Lindgren and juniors Kellye Belcher, Anita Gahir and Laura Nochta – have played in Puerto Rico before. Their comfort with the surroundings and their game “undoubtedly” will lead them to success, Brophy said.

After winning their personal matches, the Hoosiers are counting on Nochta and Belcher to continue their success in Puerto Rico. Sophomore Cecilia Orevik held the team’s top spot against Wisconsin, and Brophy said she is ready to lead.

“Not only could she be a contender,” Brophy said, “but she is ready to take the reins as a leader and top player.”
– By Ryan Winn

Softball

Coach begins IU career with California tourney

The IU softball team gets their season started out west this weekend in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament, hosted by UCLA.

The Hoosiers will be put to the test early, taking on No. 25 San Diego State at noon Friday.

After a 16-35 overall record and 6-14 record in the Big Ten last season, the Hoosiers will look to rebound under first-year head coach Michelle Gardner.

Gardner was the head softball coach at Nevada before coming IU. With the experience of spending six seasons with the Wolfpack, Gardner knows how to get the most out of her players.

“They have to trust me and my staff, and they have to trust each other,” Gardner said.
A tournament in California could be what this team needs to start depending on one another.

But with the Hoosiers still practicing inside the roof at Mellencamp Pavillion, they will be playing on a real field for the first time all year and against some of the nation’s best.

“Everybody steps out onto the field the same way,” Gardner said.

On the field, the Hoosiers will be led by returning senior shortstop Emily Bergeson as well as sophomore starting pitcher Sara Olson.
– Connor O'Gara