After starting down two sets to zero and getting outplayed in all areas of the floor, Indiana volleyball looked to be in big trouble in its season opener against the University of Miami on Friday in Coral Gables, Florida.
While many spectators likely began to count Indiana out of the game, the Hoosiers had other plans.
The Hoosiers started the match slow and were unable to keep up with the Hurricanes in any facet of the game. Through the first two sets, Indiana had a lower hitting percentage, as well as fewer kills, blocks and aces, than Miami. The Hoosiers also could not handle the Hurricane’s service pressure, resulting in a combined seven aces in the first two sets.
However, thanks to a huge step up in defense and a strong performance from senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles, Indiana shifted the momentum and turned the game around completely.
In the third set alone, the Hoosiers tallied four blocks, which doubled their total number of blocks from the first two sets combined. They also increased their overall hitting percentage from a 0.91 in the first two sets to .203 in the third and evened up with Miami in total number of kills with 34 across all three sets.
This drastic improvement propelled the Hoosiers to a third set victory and flipped the momentum in their favor. From this point on, the Hoosiers never took their feet off the gas.
Indiana was able to shut down Miami’s offense and found its own rhythm offensively as well. In the last three sets combined, the Hoosiers tallied 12 blocks as a team, with senior middle blocker Madi Sell leading with six of her own.
The offensive power of Alonso-Corcelles helped lead Indiana volleyball to the program's first reverse sweep in 10 years and fourth reverse sweep in program history.The last reverse sweep was in 2015 when the Hoosiers defeated Texas State University under head coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan.
Alonso-Corcelles led the team in total kills with 20 on the night, surpassing 1,000 career kills. This made her the 21st player to hit 1,000 career kills in Indiana history and the third player to do so under eight-year head coach Steve Aird.
The Hoosiers played as a resilient team and ended the night with an attacking percentage of .262, holding the Hurricanes to a .222 attacking percentage.
Despite the long five set night, Indiana will have a quick turnaround as it continues the Canes Classic on Saturday against Virginia Commonwealth University. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. No stream will be available.
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06) and Kasey Watkins (@kaseywatki87731) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
