Volleyball team set to play Ohio State, Penn State

After losing two matches at home last weekend, the IU volleyball team will travel to play matches at Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State.

The last time the Hoosiers faced the Nittany Lions, they were on ESPN for the first time at home, where they fell in three sets. Last time out against Ohio State, IU took it to an exciting fifth set where the Buckeyes won 17-15.

“It was a match we really felt like we should have won,” IU Assistant Coach Paul Koncir said. “We look at them as a team we want to go head-to-head with all night.”

Since that meeting, Ohio State (14-10, 2-10) has not just fallen out of the top 25, they haven’t won a match.

“I think for both teams in that match, we look at it as a must-win,” Koncir said. “They’re a good team. They’ve got experienced players at a lot of positions that play really solidly, but I think for us it’s a better opportunity where we look at a team and say we can do this.”

The Buckeyes are led by senior Kaitlyn Leary, who has 439 kills, more than double the second leading player in kills on the team. Senior Julianne Mandolfo leads Ohio State in digs with 289 and is followed by senior Davionna DiSalvatore, who has 283. Junior Taylor Sherwin leads the Buckeyes in assists with 980, accounting for roughly 86 percent of the team’s assists.

“After the close five-set match at home, we just really want to come out and prove ourselves,” IU sophomore outside hitter Amelia Anderson said. “Attacking them at home, making them feel uncomfortable at their home court and really getting after it on our side and worrying about what we do (will be key).”

On Saturday, the Hoosiers (9-14, 1-11) will have their second shot at the No. 2 Nittany Lions (20-2, 11-1). Penn State is led by senior Ariel Scott, who has 213 kills. She is followed closely by senior Deja McClendon, who has 206. Leading them in digs is junior Dominique Gonzalez with 253. Junior Micha Hancock leads the Nittany Lions in assists with 843, she also is second in the country in aces per set, hitting .72 when serving.

“They’re really good, and we are really excited to play them,” IU sophomore outside hitter Chante George said. “We play in the Big Ten, and there are a lot of great teams.”

IU is led by junior middle blocker Morgan Leach, who leads the Hoosiers in kills with 235 and is followed by senior outside hitter Jordan Haverly, who has 205. Senior libero and captain Caitlin Hansen leads the Hoosiers in digs with 308 and is followed by Haverly, who has 159. Freshman setter Megan Tallman, who took over the starting setter position after sophomore Katie Gallagher suffered a concussion a few weeks ago in practice, leads the team in assists with 488.

“From the beginning of the season until now, our defense is so much better,” Koncir said. “Especially since last year, we are so much different and better but even since the beginning of the Big Ten season.”

Follow volleyball reporter Andrew Vailliencourt on Twitter @AndrewVcourt.