IU volleyball team beats Tennessee, advances to NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The IU volleyball coaches and players rushed the court in celebration after a dramatic serve by a Tennessee freshman hit out of bounds.

The IU volleyball team closed it out again in the NCAA tournament, advancing IU to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

The Hoosiers (23-11) won two matches this weekend against Miami (Fla.) and No. 11 seed Tennessee, both in five sets.

“I love this team and how they refuse to quit,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said.

The Hoosiers were the third team in the tournament to advance after Saturday’s win against the Lady Volunteers gave them their fifth victory against a top-25 team this season.

“I think it’s just that mentality that the game is on the line and we are playing to make the Sweet 16,” junior libero Caitlin Cox said.

IU rallied back from a 10-8 deficit in the fifth set to claim match point and won when Tennessee setter Kylann Scheidt erred on serve.

The Hoosiers’ two kills leaders powered their offensive attack during the weekend.

Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Haverly and senior middle blocker Ashley Benson totaled 51 and 39 kills, respectively.

IU’s wins at home this weekend capped off a 13-2 record at University Gym.

“When we are at home, we have this confidence that no one can beat us,” senior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer said.

The Hoosiers defeated the Lady Volunteers after battling for five sets, winning by scores of 18-25, 25-21, 20-25, 27-25 and 15-13.

Haverly led both teams with a career-high 30 kills, and she also dug 14 balls.

“The whole weekend she played a very complete game,” Dunbar said. “She just refuses to lose, and that’s why I’m thrilled that she’s at Indiana.”

Benson added 14 kills and six block assists in her last game at University Gym.
Junior setter Mary Chaudoin dished out the volleyball and finished with match-high 41 assists.

Although the Lady Volunteers claimed a 61-53 edge in digs, Cox stepped up in the fourth and fifth set, finishing the match with 16 digs and two aces.

“Caitlin made some unbelievable digs today,” Dunbar said.

Dunbar talked about the experience that the freshmen are receiving from tournament play.

Freshman defensive specialists Caitlin Hansen and Melanie Hicks dug 18 and 12 balls, respectively, on the weekend.

Wittmer explained how consistently making the NCAA tournament is what they are looking for.

“I think we wanted to set that standard that Indiana is going to do this every single year from now on,” Wittmer said.

On Friday, IU will face No. 6 seed USC (27-4) in Dayton, Ohio, for a shot to advance to the Elite Eight.

Dunbar stressed that the Hoosiers are going to leave it all out on the floor in UD Arena.

“We are going to go out and give it our all next weekend,” Dunbar said.