Team goes 3-0 in first tourney, drops one set

IU volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar and junior middle blocker Ashley Benson both said they would like to start the season 3-0 heading into the Flo Hyman Invitational in Houston.

The Hoosiers did just that, winning all three of their matches in the University of Houston-hosted tournament and being crowned champions of the event.

Dunbar said the results of the tournament were very positive for her players.

“It’s great to show them that their hard work in the offseason has paid off,” Dunbar said. “Now we have a lot of stuff to look at to see how we play against someone other than ourselves.”

IU dropped just one set throughout the tournament.

The Hoosiers opened the tournament Friday, blanking Southeastern Louisiana 25-13, 25-18, 25-17. The team posted a collective hit percentage of .386, with Benson leading in kills with 11.

“Everyone was excited,” Benson said. “Even when we were low, we all hung together.”

Freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly, who joined the team after attending junior college for a year, recorded four aces in her IU debut, including on her first career serve attempt.

Haverly enjoyed her first match experience at IU.

“It felt really good,” Haverly said. “Hopefully we can continue to work hard and keep having fun together.”

Fellow freshman, setter Whitney Granado, accomplished that same feat, doing so on the match’s initial serve.

Graduate student Whitney Thomas also shined in her volleyball debut, scoring six kills. Thomas joined the volleyball team this season after spending four seasons on the IU women’s basketball team.

The Hoosiers carried the momentum from their season-opening victory into Saturday’s matches, downing New Orleans 20-25, 29-27, 25-20, 25-20 in a noon matchup.
Benson recorded 20 kills, again a team high, and also recorded six of the teams blocks, with three solo stuffs.

Sophomore libero Caitlin Cox, Haverly and freshman Laura Matula each recorded two service aces, and senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall added another for a team total of seven.

IU finished its tournament sweep Saturday evening, defeating host Houston 25-19, 25-21, 25-17.

Benson and Haverly led the Hoosiers in kills on Houston, recording 12 and 11, respectively, and, along with Granado, each recorded one ace. The team’s collective attack percentage was .265.

Sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin led the Hoosiers with 22 assists and Granado added 13.

IU now shifts its focus to next weekend, when it will play host at the IU adidas Classic. The Hoosiers will play their first match of the tournament Friday at noon against University of Tennessee-Martin at University Gymnasium and will play again at 7 p.m. against Kentucky.

The team will play two matches Saturday, the first at noon against Murray State and the second at 7 p.m. against University of Illinois-Chicago.

“It will be really exciting to have the opportunity to play at home,” Dunbar said. “They will bring an energy to the gym and I’m sure the fans are going to be really excited. It’s looking to be a great collegiate weekend at IU.”