Before the season started, IU head coach Steve Aird said he hoped to see his new-look team snatch somewhere between eight and 10 wins in the non-conference schedule. As it turns out, his team has won more than 10, as IU picked up three more wins this weekend to improve to 11-2 on the year.
The Hoosiers beat Stetson University and University of South Florida twice in Tampa Bay, Florida at the USF Invitational. Their toughest match came Friday night against South Florida,where IU took down the Bulls in five sets. IU won in four sets in its other two matches.
Freshman libero Haley Armstrong and senior outside hitter Megan Sloan both played in each game, despite being questionable entering the weekend with injuries. Armstrong tallied 51 digs at libero and Sloan had 26 kills.
Redshirt senior Kendall Beerman only played in the first match of the weekend against Stetson, where she totaled nine kills. Beerman continues to see limited game action as she works her way back from a torn ACL she suffered last season.
Senior Jacqui Armer was named MVP of the USF Invitational because of a 26-kill weekend. The Louisiana State University transfer hit .444 for the weekend, continuing her strong start to the 2019 season.
With non-conference play now officially wrapped up, the focus turns to conference play, where the Hoosiers will get an early glimpse at some of the Big Ten’s best.
IU plays at Minnesota on Friday and at Wisconsin on Sunday. Both opponents currently rank in the top 10, with Minnesota at seven and Wisconsin at nine.
