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(09/01/03 5:41am)
For the first time since 1998, IU captured the 21st annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic this weekend by beating No. 17 California 3-0 Friday night and battling Alabama-Birmingham to a 0-0 draw Saturday. \nThe win and tie over the weekend earned IU four points for the tournament, one ahead of Notre Dame (3), UAB (2) and Cal, who lost both games over the weekend. \nThe Hoosiers earned their ninth Classic win in their 21 years of holding the competitive tournament and are now 1-0-1 for the season. \n"It was fun to finally win our Classic," coach Jerry Yeagley said. "Even though we won 3-0 last night, I thought we played better tonight, especially defensively." \nAfter Notre Dame's overtime victory over Cal in the first game Saturday night, IU either needed a win or a tie against UAB. The latter came true for the Hoosiers as junior Jay Nolly posted his second shutout in as many games finishing in a 0-0 tie with the Blazers. \nIU was pressured from the start by a quick and tough UAB squad, which needed a victory by more then one goal to win the Classic after ending in a draw with the Irish the night before. \nThe first true scoring chance came off the foot of senior Vijay Dias. It was tipped just right of the post 13 minutes into the game. Sloppy play continued throughout the contest as foul after foul was racked up, totaling 27 by the end of the first half. \nThe Blazers and Hoosiers continued to fight into the second overtime, when with seven minutes left freshman Jacob Peterson was alone in front of the net, but his shot was deflected by goalkeeper Alberto Robles just left of the far post. \nUAB responded with a shot that smashed the right post just out of Nolly's reach with two minutes left in the game. The post conserved the victory for IU and earned them the Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic Championship.\n"I think we figured out that we have a very strong defense," Nolly said. "I feel I am playing at the top of my game and feel very comfortable especially with two shutouts."\nIf coach Yeagley held any doubts about how his team would start the season, they were quickly and convincingly erased as IU came out firing on all cylinders by scoring one minute and eight seconds into their season on a goal by Dias assisted by junior Ned Grabavoy.\nThe Golden Bears responded a minute later with a point blank shot blasted by Alex Martinez but was saved by Nolly as he dived to his right.\nWith 14 minutes remaining in the half, Grabavoy extended IU's lead to 2-0 with a low line-drive kick into the lower left corner past the diving Brian Walker, finding the back of the net. It was the first goal of the season for the junior who contemplated playing in Europe with Monaco but chose to stay in Bloomington.\nJust over five minutes later, the Hoosiers padded their already safe lead, as once again Grabavoy ignited a scoring flurry with a shot off the goalkeeper. It bounced back outside the goal box to sophomore Brian Plotkin, who landed it just outside the reach of Walker for his first goal of the season.\nThe Hoosiers would go into the locker room with a 3-0 lead and would cruise through the second half on their way to an opening day shutout of the Golden Bears. The game was initially delayed an hour and 17 minutes due to lightning in the first matchup between Notre Dame and UAB.\n"Our play at times was great but at other times was inconsistent throughout this game," Grabavoy said. "But we got a 3-0 win and that is what's important. \nThe Hoosiers take their Adidas/IU Credit Union championship to Storrs, Conn., for the UConn classic, beginning on Friday evening against Georgetown.\n-- Contact staff writer Daniel Cohen at djcohen@indiana.edu.
(08/29/03 5:55am)
After 31 years of coaching excellence, Jerry Yeagley will open the season one last time as the Hoosiers start the 2003 schedule by hosting their 21st annual adidas/IU Credit Union Classic this weekend in Bloomington.\nThis weekend's classic features three nationally ranked programs including No. 17 California, Alabama-Birmingham and No. 12 Notre Dame. No. 7 IU will face California Friday night, followed by Saturday night's tilt with the Blazers from Birmingham.\nSince 1999 the Hoosiers are just 2-4-2 in the Classic and last won the tournament in 1998, but once again Yeagley continues to bring in tough competition for the season's opening weekend.\n"We don't want to bring in easy wins as we want to bring the best teams in," Yeagley said. "We want to showcase soccer at its highest level because we want people to come back and watch more soccer."\nThe California Golden Bears are returning to Bloomington for the Classic for the first time since 1998 and return nine starters and 28 letterwinners to a team that finished second to defending national champion UCLA in the Pacific-10 last season.\nThe Hoosiers and Golden Bears will square off at 7:30 p.m. Friday, following the conclusion of the Notre Dame-UAB match.\nSaturday, Yeagley faces former player and now UAB head coach Mike Getman and his strong Blazers who were a perfect 7-0 in the preseason including games against international competition in Europe. \nUAB finished 9-7-3 last year with a .500 record in conference USA. Its last meeting with the Hoosiers was a 1-1 draw dating back to September 1996. \nThe Hoosiers and Fighting Irish will not meet this weekend in Bloomington, but will see each other on Sept. 18 in South Bend. \nSince 1999, the Hoosiers have piled up 70 victories but have not won both games of the annual classic since 1998. As important as these games are, the Hoosiers are aware that the season is a marathon not a sprint. \n"We want to play well, and our ultimate goal is to win this tourney," said junior forward Ned Grabavoy. "But it is later that you want your team to reach its peak." \nIU is coming off a pair of exhibition matches last weekend at the IPFW Soccer Showcase in Fort Wayne. IU went 0-1-1 in event, losing on a last minute goal to Kentucky and scoring a last minute goal to tie with Rutgers 1-1.\n"At this point, we are far from an efficient offense," Yeagley said. "Hopefully our team and individual defense can keep us in games."\nJunior Jay Nolly returns to goal for the Hoosiers, where last year he finished with an 0.78 goals-against average, a mark that ranked 17th nationally and first among Big Ten goalkeepers. \nNolly believes this Hoosiers team is capable of anything and sees his team ready for an exciting season.\n"This team looks really good, and everyone has been waiting to get going for a while now," Nolly said. "I'm excited to get this season going."\nWinning this weekend's adidas/Credit Union Classic would be a strong sign for success, as 1999 was the last time the Hoosiers won the tournament and the national championship.\n"I'd like to think it's not a tune up but a real test." Yeagley said. "Our Classic has become known as the 'Rose Bowl' for classics all over the country, and we are certainly proud of that."\n-- Contact staff writer Daniel Cohen at djcohen@indiana.edu.
(05/02/03 5:43am)
Sophomore Ashley Griffiths booted two ground balls in a row, then turned and watched the third one skip off her glove into right field. She kicked the dirt, received some encouragement from coach Sara Hayes, and snagged the next shot off one bounce into her glove to make the play at first all during Wednesday's practice.\nGriffith's never-die attitude and willingness to work until she succeeded exemplifies the mind-set of each Hoosiers player as they took the field every day during the 2003 softball season. Suffering a 33-game Big Ten losing streak and a guaranteed losing season, IU never folded and, instead, persevered to earn that elusive Big Ten win. \nThe Hoosiers (18-30, 1-15 Big Ten) are guaranteed to finish with a losing record and in last place in the Big Ten, but they still have the chance of earning their first 20-win season since 1997. They can send the seniors off on a high by beating Purdue and ending their post-season chances.\nIU has lost seven of 10 games and in those seven games has only scored a total of two runs. The Hoosiers are 12-2 when scoring five or more runs in a game. \n"That was our goal as a staff, to go out and score four plus runs every game," Hayes said. "It is definitely doable against Purdue's pitching."\nSaturday, IU will travel north to face Purdue for one game before returning home Sunday for the series and season finale against the same Boilermakers team. At the IU Softball Field, the Hoosiers have compiled a 6-13 home record in front of an average 158 fans per game. \nThe Hoosiers' big three, junior Heather Stillians, sophomore Katie Witham and freshman Megan Roark have, with the lack of offense, kept the team competitive in most ballgames by holding down the opponent's offense. \nTheir 18 wins have combined for all of the Hoosiers' victories to go along with their 3.39 ERA and 14 complete games. \n"We try to keep the hitters off balance by forcing weak hits," Witham said. "Last year we pitched how we wanted to pitch, but this year we have been focusing on trying to find the hitter's weaknesses."\nIU's pitchers will have to search hard to find the weakness of Purdue sophomore Andrea Hillsey, who is batting a team-leading .471 with 39 RBIs. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten in home runs and are second in team batting average with a .299 clip. \nHeading into a rare Thursday doubleheader against Indiana State, Purdue is 31-22 and 4-8 in conference play but are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. \nHoosier hitters will have to figure out senior pitcher Leighann Burke, who owns an 18-14 record, 2.00 ERA and 14 complete games. \n"Beating Purdue will give us a chance to finish the season on a high note," junior Abby Stark said. "Sweeping them would be huge."\nHaving played 48 games thus far, Hayes said she feels these last two against Purdue might carry the most meaning.\n"These two final games kind of define our season," Hayes said. "If we hustle and play great ball, we will end our season on a high"
(04/25/03 5:51am)
IU will try and accomplish something today they have not done in 32 games, dating back two years; winning a Big Ten Game.\nThe Hoosiers embark on their last multi-game road trip of the season, this time heading to East Lansing, Mich. on Friday and Saturday and Ann Arbor, Mich. on Sunday for a doubleheader.\nPicking up that elusive first conference win will be no easy task on this trip as the Spartans and the Wolverines have a combined 60-23 overall record. But, both have been struggling a bit of late. \nIU (17-27, 0-12) will attempt to play the role of spoiler this weekend as they try and sneak up on MSU and UM and gain some ground in the Big Ten standings.\n"This is a good chance to really shake things up in the Big Ten and pick up some good wins," junior Abby Stark said. "(Michigan) is a great team and MSU is a strong team, but their coaches will not let them come out not ready to play."\nIU's first chance to snap the conference losing streak will come on Friday against Michigan State. IU has not won a game on Friday since the opening weekend of the season in February. The game will also mark the 26th game the Hoosiers have played away from The IU Softball field in Bloomington. \nSenior Stormy Hanson will try to become the ninth player in IU history to end the season batting over .400, and the first player since Monica Armendarez's. 437 clip six years ago. Hanson's .466 on-base percentage is one of 12 offensive categories the senior is leading the team in. \nAlso hitting well of late is junior Valerie White, who is second on the squad with a .301 batting average and 46 hits, just six behind Hanson's 52 knocks.\nBut, the pitching staff has been struggling as IU pitchers have given up an opponents team batting overage over .300. \nThe Spartans (30-14, 8-5), meanwhile, have won six of eight but are coming off a split with Oakland University. \nThey are led by six players batting over .300 and standout junior Jessica Beech, who has recorded two thirds of the team's wins with a 20-6 record and a miniscule 0.99 ERA. Beech did not pitch in the series against Oakland, Calif. and is likely to go against IU on Friday.\nAt Ann Arbor, Mich. on Sunday, the Hoosiers will not be escaping the wrath of good pitching, as Michigan senior and Big Ten pitcher of the week for the second straight week Marissa Young had a 3-0 record last week to go along with a 0.33 ERA. \nFor the season, Young has a 17-1 record, 1.07 ERA, 12 complete games in just 18 starts and 166 strikeouts to 37 walks -- a near five to one ratio. \n"She will go right at us and be aggressive," IU coach Sara Hayes said. "Strong pitching can catapult your program, a pitcher like Young has the ability to keep the team in games and help the team pick up wins."\nPicking up a Big Ten win is on all the Hoosiers' minds, but no one seems to be panicking. That's something Hayes said she wants to see more.\n"I think that is the thing we have been frustrated with," coach Hayes said. "We seem to play without a strong sense of urgency."\nGoing into this weekend, the mentality of the Hoosier players is competing without pressure.\n"We have nothing to lose," senior Katie Joy said. "We will be playing good teams, but on any given day anyone can beat anyone"
(04/09/03 5:55am)
IU's four game losing streak will have to wait until Friday as today's doubleheader against Louisville was canceled due to the inclement weather plaguing the Midwest. \nThe Hoosiers (14-18, 0-6 Big Ten) have lost six out of eight while the current four game losing streak matches their longest of the season. But IU players said they do not feel any added pressure to earn their first Big Ten victory.\n"We would feel the pressure if we decided to put it on ourselves," junior Heather Stillians said. "I see our team staying focused and getting the wins we need to get this weekend."\nThe first scheduled meeting against the Cardinals on Feb. 28 in the Cardinal Classic was also canceled due to inclement weather. Today's game was to be the the fifth in six days for IU, who has actually won their last five out-of-conference ballgames. \n"We were looking forward to playing," junior Valerie White said. "But it will be good to get the extra day to rest instead of playing in the cold."\nA small slump has lowered senior Stormy Hanson's batting average to a still remarkable .402 as she remains the team leader in twelve different offensive categories. Her home run in the seventh inning in last weekend's game against Minnesota broke up junior pitcher Piper Marten's bid for a no-hitter. \nToday's ballgame would have marked the twelve road stint for IU this season who has an impressive 6-5 road record versus a sub-par 3-6 mark at the Varsity Softball Field. \nEnding the losing streak would have been no easy task for IU as Louisville has won five out of six and owns a 17-14 overall record. The Cardinals were also taking a break from their own conference schedule where they have an 8-3 Conference USA record. \nLouisville senior Keola Calderon won C-USA hitter of the week, but the squad is led by senior pitcher Jessica Rak who owns a team leading 2.33 ERA with a 9-7 record and an eyebrow raising eight complete games. \nUL possesses a Hanson of their own in sophomore Sara Bausher, a Las Vegas product as well who carries a .340 batting average and leads the Cardinals in at least eight different offensive categories. \nIU will get an extra day of practice and resume play at 3 p.m. this Friday at home against the Northwestern Wildcats. \n"I think we will be ready to go for this weekend," coach Sara Hayes said. "With high school weekend, it should be very exciting for us"
(04/02/03 4:30am)
Amongst a season-long flirt with the .500 level, the streaking Hoosiers will once again try to level their record as they head to Dayton, Ohio. The team takes a break from the Big Ten schedule to face the Wright State Raiders for two games beginning at 2 p.m. today. \nIU (10-12, 0-2 Big Ten) has lost four out of six and is 2-2 on their current six game road trip heading into Wednesday's tilt with the Raiders. Today's doubleheader marks the 20 and 21st games played away from home this season for the Hoosiers, who are 5-7 on neutral sites and 4-3 on road venues. \nAs for the mass amounts of games away from home taking a toll on the team, players like junior Abby Stark said they have grown accustomed to playing all over the map. \n"That's the thing about softball, growing up if you played travel ball you were constantly traveling all summer long," Stark said. "I do miss the elements of the fans, but I don't think it is taking a toll on us."\nThrough 24 games this season, senior Stormy Hanson has been creating havoc for opposing Big Ten pitchers with her Ted Williams-esque .405 batting average. The Las Vegas, Nev., product has complied a monstrous .747 slugging percentage while smashing four home runs, nine doubles and 19 runs batted in -- all which lead the team. \nHanson's 32 hits are nearly a third of Wright State's hit total as a team. The Raiders, (6-16, 1-1 Horizon League) own a .193 team batting average and have dropped five of their last six contests. Their split over the weekend in their league opener against Cleveland State included a victory during a school record 18 inning game. \nThe Raiders have beaten the likes of Charlotte and San Jose State and are led by senior pitcher Kristin Bultinck, who owns all six WSU wins and a strikeout per inning average. \n"They are a good team," Stark said. "They will be comparable to what they were last year, but if we go out and play our game, the outcome will be a successful one for us."\nToday's matchup against a Horizon league participant will be the first of four times the Hoosiers will take a break during the Big Ten portion of the schedule. \n"I think it helps us maintain a rhythm since the Big Ten is so challenging," coach Sara Hayes said. "These types of games help us refocus and gain confidence in ourselves."\nThe Hoosiers begin a grueling stretch of six games in five days but said they will not start using these portions of the schedule as an excuse.\n"I think we are all used to that," senior Katie Joy said. "It is common in softball to play doubleheaders so it does not have any effect on us"
(03/26/03 4:57am)
Beginning today in Terre Haute, the Hoosiers embark on a torturous eight-game road trip over eight days, as they battle the Indiana State Sycamores of the Missouri Valley Conference in a double header starting at 2 p.m.\nIU (10-12) has won three of their last five games and is coming off a four-game split of the Indiana Classic this weekend against IUPUI and Detroit Mercy. The Hoosiers are .500 in just four games on the road thus far but will have played 12 road games by next Wednesday. \nAfter 22 games last season, the Hoosiers virtually held an identical 9-12-1 record, but the attitude of some players has dramatically changed. \n"This year I feel more successful," junior Abby Stark said. "There is just something about this team that once we decide to do it, we can be very successful. I don't think 10-12 is very indicative of how we are playing."\nCoach Sara Hayes said she realizes the importance of playing well and eliminating some of the mistakes as the team heads into this weekend's Big Ten opener in Columbus, Ohio. \n"We are still very inconsistent," Hayes said. "We need to go into Big Ten play without any negatives."\nOne continuing positive theme for the Hoosiers this season has been the play of senior Stormy Hanson who leads the team in nearly every offensive category. Her .406 batting average, eight doubles, three home runs, 16 runs batted in and .739 slugging percentage are all team leading. \nOne offensive category that is not headed by Hanson is runs, where junior Valerie White is the team leader with 17 and is second to Hanson with 24 hits. \n"I expect to do really well," White said. "We've been having a really rough week and a half. But we showed some signs Saturday, and I hope we can carry that into tomorrow. As long as everyone comes to play, then I think that we're going to do really well."\nOverall IU is 45-17 against intrastate rival Indiana State but had both scheduled meetings cancelled last season. The Sycamores are 6-13, 1-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play, having lost 10 of 13 after winning their opening three games of the season. \nISU is led by junior Sarah Kothe who leads the team with a .333 batting average and a .471 slugging percentage. ISU has been outscored 93-41 by their opponents and have a .216 team batting average. \n"We are not overlooking Indiana State," Hayes said. "We are not sure on our end which of our teams will show up to play"
(03/11/03 5:55am)
After opening the season with 14 straight road games, the Hoosiers' softball team (6-8) was scheduled to return to Bloomington today for a doubleheader and the home opener against the Illinois State Redbirds (7-10). But because of unplayable field conditions, the home opener will take place Saturday against Eastern Michigan. The two games are scheduled to begin Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. \nTuesday's opener was to be the first game of a 10-game homestand for the Hoosiers, who have two more wins then last years squad after 14 games. IU split four games over the weekend in Charelston, S.C., with wins coming over Cansius (5-2) and Stony Brook (2-1). \n"We are playing pretty well right now," first-year coach Sara Hayes said. "We work hard at practice on finding a rhythm, and we have definitely found that rhythm."\nTuesday's cancellation marks the sixth game wiped out because of weather for the Hoosiers this year, one less then last year's season endured at this point. \n"We will continue to practice hard and get better on things we can get better on," senior Stormy Hanson said. "It also gives us time to rest our bodies."\nAfter 14 games, Hanson is making a strong push for Big Ten Player of the Year by continuing to lead the team in nearly every offensive category with a .444 batting average, 12 runs, 20 hits, 6 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 11 RBIs. \nFreshman Lauren Hines is second on the team with a .438 batting average, 14 hits and 7 RBIs but believes extra practices will benefit the team's performance.\n"It gives us more time to prepare for when we do open," Hines said. "And it is easier to play in warmer weather"
(02/19/03 5:35am)
Senior Stormy Hanson will leave IU as one of the most productive softball players in Hoosier history. \nA Las Vegas product, Hanson will likely compete for All-Big Ten honors this spring. As a junior, Hanson led the Hoosiers in nine offensive categories while splitting time at third base and catcher. But this season Hanson will make a permanent home behind the plate.\n"I'm glad that this season I can just focus on one position," Hanson said. "With catching, you have to have leadership and the ability to guide the team, and I feel I am capable of doing just that." \nAs one of only two seniors on this year's squad, Hanson is well aware of the leadership she must provide her younger inexperienced teammates.\n"Hopefully I can provide my teammates with confidence in their abilities as players,'' Hanson said. "And by playing catcher I must be the leader on the field."\nTeammate and junior Abby Stark, said Hanson leads the team by encouraging players to perform better.\n"She is the player on the field that I look to when things get tough," Stark said. "She sets an example through her play on the field.''\nLast season, Hanson produced one of the better offensive seasons in IU history as she led the Hoosiers in batting average (.355), runs (27), slugging percentage (.412), and hits (49). She smashed seven home-runs and 11 doubles, both tied for the team lead. \nIn a game against eventual NCAA tournament participant Boston University on March 9 last year, Hanson had a career high four hits, including two doubles in a 5-4 victory.\nBorn in Grand Junction, Colo., Hanson is majoring in K-12 Physical Education and will be graduating from IU in the spring. She will become the first member of her family to have earned a degree.\n"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had," Hanson said. "I am very fortunate that my mom has supported me every single day."\nIn their limited time spent together, first year coach Sara Hayes said Hanson brings a lot of intangibles to the club.\n"Stormy is one of the most dynamic, passionate and determined student-athletes I have ever had the pleasure to work with," Hayes said. "The leadership she provides us is like having an assistant coach on the field"
(11/15/02 5:41am)
Historic St. John arena on the campus of Ohio State produced a historic match between the No. 29 Hoosiers and the No. 31 Buckeyes Wednesday. OSU used a late rally to stun the Hoosiers 3-2. \nOhio State came out firing in game one by jumping out to a 12-7 lead on a kill by freshman Stephanie Higgins. The Buckeyes would close out game one on an 18-7 run to close out the game by the final of 30-17. \nIU came back and won game two and game three by the scores of 30-28 and 31-29. But OSU would take an exciting game four by the score of 30-27. In the decisive game five, IU had a 13-10 lead, but failed to shut the door and allowed OSU to come back and win game five 18-16.\n"That hasn't happened to us much this year," coach Katie Weismiller said. "We've been able to finish matches throughout the year and that will continue to be a strength for us."\nJunior Melissa Brewer led Indiana with 21 kills and a .425 hitting percentage, and sophomore setter Victoria Zimmerman notched 56 assists. Sophomore Stacey Gordon led the Buckeyes with 27 kills. \nThe loss put the Hoosiers back to one game over the .500 mark in the conference, but IU will get a chance to quickly jump back to two games over with a match against powerhouse Penn State Saturday night in Bloomington. \nThe No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions (20-5, 10-4) come into Bloomington in second place by behind Minnesota. Penn State is just 3-4 in conference play since starting off 7-0 and is 4-3 on the road in conference play. \nThe Nittany Lions are first in the Big Ten with a .304 hitting percentage and first in blocks with an average of 3.26 per game. Senior Mishka Levy leads the team with 3.78 kills per game, while junior Robyn Guokas leads the team with 1.46 blocks per game. \nIU (18-9. 8-7) is currently fifth in the Big Ten and third in overall wins. Earlier this year, IU lost to Penn state 3-0 but own a 10-3 record at home this year.\nThe Hoosiers have never beaten Penn State, but assistant coach Cydrice Carter said the team feels strongly that Saturday night might be the first time. \n"This is the year we can beat Penn State," Carter said. "We are at the peak of our game right now."\nRealizing Penn state's ability to block shots, IU has worked on different types of attack and shots to counter the Nittany Lions' defense.\n"We have worked on different types of shots that will hopefully highlight Penn State's weaknesses on defense," assistant coach Ryan Thesis said. \nSophomore Christina Archibald continues to lead the Hoosiers with a 4.32 kills per game average, while sophomore Katie Pollom leads the team in blocks with 1.10 blocks per game average.
(11/15/02 4:56am)
The type of greeting I usually receive when I return home from running errands is at most a hello or if Dad is home, a quick, one-armed effortless hug. My brothers won't even make eye contact until something is said directly to or affecting them. \nNow, imagine if every time you came home from getting groceries or shopping at the mall, your mom and dad ran up to you with mile wide smiles and arms opened wide enough to hug a tree. What if, each time you got home from classes, your parents hugged and held onto you until they cried, not wanting to let go of you until you left the house again. For my cousins, they don't have to imagine anything like this. This is certainly now and always has been, their life. \nMy 18-year-old cousin, Hila (ee-la) loves life. She loves going out for any type of reason like any other teenage girl; she loves to go out and enjoy the outdoor social life. But yesterday she returned home from the mall and got one of those mom and dad greetings, only they can understand. \nHila is the type of girl who enjoys every minute of her life. She doesn't take any second for granted. Yesterday, Hila lived five minutes of her life that she will never be more grateful for. \nOn October 4, a suicide bomb went off in a nearby mall in Kfar Saba, just north of Tel-Aviv, killing two and injuring over twenty. Hila was thankfully home. But she was in the mall just five minutes before. Had she stopped for a snack on the way, she might be dead. Had she even stopped to tie her shoe, my cousin might be in the hospital suffering from cuts and shock like her two best friends. \nI talked to Hila yesterday on the phone and she sounded more shaky and tense than ever before. We talked for about the same amount of time she missed getting blown up by. We talked for five good minutes -- five minutes she almost didn't have. \nOne of her best friends is required to have surgery to remove the ringing in her ears caused by the detonation. She's also seeing a psychiatrist to help relieve her condition of shock. She was a mere 10 yards from the bomb. \n"I tried to call every one of my friends after the explosion," Hila said. "I called people I had not talked to in years, but the one friend I did not call was the one who got hurt."\nEven before this most recent attack near her house, Hila explained to me how her life has changed because of the suicide bombs.\n"Any time I leave the house to go out with friends, my parents will call me numerous times to see how I am doing," Hila said. "When I go out at night, my parents will not even fall asleep until they know I have made it home."\nI can just imagine the scene last week when Hila walked in her front door. Her parents running and hoping to see the same precious face they saw earlier that day, running and hoping to see their daughter in the same condition as before. They probably had their arms wide open with tears running down their faces. A scene most of us could only imagine.
(11/13/02 3:39pm)
In a rare mid-week matchup, IU takes its three game winning streak into Columbus, Ohio Wednesday night to face an even hotter Ohio State squad, winners of five games in a row. \nIU (18-8, 8-6) will be trying to inch even closer to earning an NCAA tournament automatic bid for the first time since the 1999 season. The team's 8-6 Big Ten mark is the Hoosiers' best conference start since 1995 and a win Wednesday night would give them their second four game win streak in the past month. \nHeading into this match, Ohio State (13-10, 7-7 Big Ten) has won five games in a row and eight out of nine, their only loss coming to powerhouse Minnesota. Trying to stop Ohio State means containing sophomore outside hitter Stacey Gordon, who this week won the Big Ten Player of the Week award for the third time this year .\nGordon has recorded 20-plus kills in eight-of-10 matches this year and in her career has recorded ten-plus kills in 52 of 54 matches. Gordon has lifted Ohio State from their 0-5 start in the Big Ten. \n"We know she is their go-to player," sophomore middle blocker Katie Pollom said. "She is their main weapon, when she is in the front row, we will be focused on her."\nPollom leads the Hoosiers with 1.10 blocks per game and is one of three Hoosiers averaging over 3 kills per game. Archibald continues to lead with 4.41 kills per game, while Pollom and junior middle blocker Melissa Brewer average over 3 and a half. As a team, IU ranks second behind Wisconsin in kills in the Big Ten with 16.35 kills per match. \nSetting up the Hoosiers' triple-threat is sophomore setter Victoria Zimmerman, who leads the team with 13.74 assists per game. Zimmerman ranks second in the Big Ten behind Wisconsin junior Morgan Shields with 13.76 assists per game. \nIn a Sept. 25 matchup, IU was victorious over the Buckeyes 3-1 in Bloomington. But, the Hoosiers are well aware of Ohio State's improvement since September. \n"We expect them to be a stronger team," sophomore defensive specialist Beth Heimann said. "But we are extremely confident in ourselves."\nIn terms of stopping Gordon and the Buckeyes, IU must be tough from their own service line and not allow Ohio State to get in sync on offense.\n"We are one of the best teams from the service line," coach Katie Weismiller said. "They have one of the best players in the Big Ten and in order to stop her we need to be tough from the service line"
(11/01/02 5:54am)
Looking to double their win total of a year ago, the Hoosiers (15-7, 5-5), head north to face the No. 15 ranked Wisconsin Badgers in Madison on Friday night and the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday night in Evanston. \nIU has won four out of five Big Ten matches, their only loss coming last Saturday night against the No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Hoosiers are one game back of third place Wisconsin heading into Friday's match. \nSophomore outside hitter Christina Archibald continues to lead the team in kills with a 4.40 kills per game average, while sophomore setter and team assist record-holder Victoria Zimmerman leads the team with 13.64 assists per game. As a team, IU is averaging over two more kills and assists a game than their opponents. Junior middle blocker Melissa Brewer has played strong as of late and is now second on the team behind Archibald with 3.64 kills per game. \nHeading into Friday night's tilt, the Badgers will have revenge on their minds. Earlier this season, IU upset Wisconsin 3-2 behind 25 kills from Brewer. Wisconsin is led by senior outside hitter Erin Byrd, who is averaging over four kills a game. \nAs a team, the Badgers are second in the Big Ten with over 17 kills per game. One player trying to stop Byrd and the Badger attack will be sophomore Hoosier middle blocker Katie Pollom. \nPollom said IU will need to play as a complete team to compromise the explosive Badger offense.\n"We know they are a very strong team," Pollom said. "We can have the best offense in the world, but if we cannot block well, it will not matter."\nWisconsin is coming off a historic 3-2 win against traditional powerhouse Penn State. It was the Badger's first win ever over the Nittany Lions. They lead the overall series against IU 30-18. \nStraight down I-90, the Hoosiers will roll into Evanston for their match against the scrappy Wildcats on Saturday night. \nNorthwestern (13-9, 6-4) has been good enough for a third place tie in the Big Ten. The Wildcats beat the Hoosiers 3-2 Oct. 11 in Bloomington. The team is led by juniors Erika Lange and Iwona Lodzik, who are averaging 4.26 kills per game and 3.11 digs per game respectively. Northwestern owns a 5-3 record at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston. IU leads the overall series against the Wildcats 25-18. \nCoach Katie Weismiller said her team is looking for revenge.\n"Northwestern is a huge match for us -- they got us in our home court and we would certainly like to return the favor," Weismiller said. "Northwestern is a good team. We have to figure out how to take them out of their offense, and we need to do a much better job of shutting them down."\nBrewer said she is confident the Hoosiers will have a different mental approach than their first meeting.\n"We came into the Northwestern game expecting to win and when it was close we got frustrated," Brewer said. "We have learned our lesson from the first game against NU."\nCurrently, IU is stuck in the middle of the jam-packed Big Ten standings. In seventh place, IU is only one game behind numerous third place teams, making every conference game critical. \nWeismiller said although the conference is tough, the team's goals are still attainable. \n"We want to keep fighting to climb out of this pack," Weismiller said. "We are respecting every team in this league"
(10/29/02 5:21am)
Much of the Hoosiers success this season can be credited to assistant coach Cydryce Carter, who at her first year of coaching at IU, has improved the Hoosiers' defense and blocking -- two main reasons for the team's turnaround. \nA native of Houston, Carter spent two years as the assistant coach at Soutwestern Texas State before deciding to come back to IU, where she played in 127 consecutive matches for the Hoosiers from 1999-1996.\nAt IU, Carter set the single-season record for block assists (139) and total blocks (152), while also leading IU to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance ever. She ended her IU career by finishing in the top ten in digs, service aces, block assists and total blocks. \n"We are very excited to have Cydryce back in our program," coach Katie Weismiller said. "She brings a lot as far as her passion, spirit and motivation."\nOff the court, Carter was a two-time recipient of the Varsity Club Scholar Athlete Award. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology in 2000, in doing so finished in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. \nCurrently, Carter is helping the Hoosiers with their team defense and blocking, which has improved throughout this season. Since the change from the Swing blocking style to the traditional blocking, IU has recorded 357 block assists, 38 more than their opponent. But its a new team mentality that Carter has brought to the squad.\n"I want to bring a lot of motivation and a lot of spirit." Carter said. "I want them to know that we are better than any other IU team has ever been. We are a good team and they need to realize that."\nAfter Carter's two years at SW Texas State, she thought it made the most sense to come back to her alma mater. \n"There is not a better place to come back to than a place where I put all my sweat into," Carter said. "IU is a program that has given so much to me."\nAs for the players, Carter's experience and knowledge of the game helps them in their day-to-day improvement. Junior middle blocker Melissa Brewer says Carter is a huge part of this year's success.\n"Cyd is one of the main reasons for the turnaround this season", Brewer said. "She means a lot to the team"
(10/18/02 5:25am)
Coming off an upset victory over the No. 15 ranked Wisconsin Badgers last Saturday, the Hoosiers take to the road this weekend as they get ready to face the Illinois Fighting Illini and rival Purdue Boilermakers. IU (12-6, 2-4) has struggled in road games so far this season, as they have posted a 1-4 record away from Bloomington. \nThe Hoosiers are looking to improve on a 2-20 record in Champaign-Urbana and a 12-40-1 record all time versus Illinois. The Illini, (9-6, 3-3) are coming off an upset victory over the No. 6 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Illinois is lead by six-foot-five-inch junior Lisa Argabright, who is averaging 3.25 kills per game and was one of 20 players invited to the USA Volleyball National A2 program over the summer. Senior Sue Webber was named Big Ten co-Player of the Week after the upset over the Gophers. \nThe Hoosiers are staying focused on the Illinois game, and are trying not to look ahead to the match against Purdue. Sophomore middle blocker Katie Pollom said it will take the team's undivided focus to beat the Illini.\n"We have to focus only on Illinois," Pollom said. "If we overlook Illinois, we simply will not beat them."\nAgainst Purdue, the Hoosiers will be fighting for more than just bragging rights. The winner of this match gains the Monon Spike, the volleyball-equivalent of football's Old Oaken Bucket. The Monon Spike dates back to 1981 and it's name is taken from the old Monon railroad, which originated in Indiana in the 19th century. IU won the Monon Spike last year, beating Purdue 3-1 on Nov. 16. \nIn addition, the contest against Purdue is part of the Titan Series. It was instilled in 2001 and is an overall athletic contest for all sports involved in the Purdue-IU rivalry. The winner of each sport's head-to-head game is awarded a point and after the final game in the spring, the school with the most team victories is the Titan Series winner. IU also won last year's Titan series. \nPurdue (9-9, 0-6) is led by sophomore Kim McConaha, who is averaging 3.72 kills a game and has registered a .355 hitting percentage. The Boilermakers, who began the season 9-3, have since lost six straight. \nIU has won six of the last seven matches against the Boilermakers. Coach Katie Weismiller said she is not afraid of a letdown on Saturday.\n"It's Purdue and it is a huge match," Weismiller said. "We will not let up at all against Purdue."\nHeading into Friday night's match with the Illini, sophomore Victoria Zimmerman is 41 assists shy of reaching 1,000 for her career. Currently, Zimmerman is ninth all-time on the IU assist list. Zimmerman said the record isn't weighing on her mind. \n"I just want to win this weekend, regardless of the assist mark," she said. "I want to come away with two wins this weekend."\nIU is the best attacking team in the Big Ten this year and Wesimiller attributes that to Zimmerman's assists.\n"A huge reason we are the best killing team in the Big Ten has to do with the way Zimmerman sets us up," Weismiller said.\nSophomore Christina Archibald continues to lead the Hoosiers in kills with just over four and a half per game.\nThe Hoosiers can earn their first conference road victory this weekend. The games kick off at 7 p.m. today in Champaign, Ill. and 7 p.m. Saturday in West Lafayette.
(10/16/02 5:01am)
What is so amazing about senior Hillary Toivonen is not that she is the lone senior on a 12-6 squad, or that she has played in over 60 straight matches in three years. Rather, it is that she is doing all of this when doctors told her it couldn't be done. \nA native of Muncie, Toivonen has defied the odds in her athletic career. In seventh grade, doctors diagnosed Toivonen with scoliosis. Her spinal curvature is off by 36 degrees from the normal curve. A condition to the extent of Toivonen's, especially in the back, creates serious problems for a person as athletic as herself. But it hasn't prevented Toivonen from reaching her goals. \n"I do not want it to limit my skills at all," she said. "That's why I continue to work at keeping my legs strong."\nToivonen is leading the team with just over three digs a game at a position called the libero. \nInstalled in the NCAA just this year, it is a position that utilizes a player's passing and defensive skills. Wearing a different uniform then her fellow teammates, Toivonen is not allowed by rule to attack on offense. Instead, she focuses strictly on receiving and setting up her teammates. \n"I can initiate each play, " she said. "I am able to communicate to the team and start the offense."\nThe libero position is tailor-made for a player and leader like Toivonen. As the only senior, Toivonen has also filled the role of helping along the inexperienced players and helping the Hoosiers to a 12-6 record. But, Toivonen says this leadership role is easier thanks to the help of some of her junior teammates.\n"I try hard to help out the freshmen," she said. "But we have a group of leaders on this team. We are all very close."\nToivonen is also the reigning iron woman of her sport. In three plus seasons, Toivonen has played in over 60 matches in a row. Her experience going into this season has proved to be vital to the Hoosiers' success.\nThe Hoosiers are off to a 12-6 record as Toivonen is playing her best volleyball as a senior.\n"She is doing everything we have asked her to do," coach Katie Weismiller said. "It is great to see someone have their best year as a senior."\nToivonen's leadership hasn't been limited to her senior role on the court. Her leadership off the court for fellow teammates is what they say helps them the most. \n"She is always there for someone to talk to," freshman Ashley White said. "She's like a big sister for me. She helps with everything on the court as well"
(09/23/02 5:13am)
The volleyball team took first place this weekend in the IU Credit Union tournament, beating Central Michigan and Butler and upsetting the No. 30 ranked Louisville Cardinals. IU extended their winning streak to five games heading into conference play Wednesday night against Ohio State. \nIn the opener Friday night, Central Michigan took a 28-25 lead on a late 5-0 run. But, IU quashed the rally, as the Hoosiers scored the next four points en route to a 34-32 victory in game one. \nIn game two, the Hoosiers held off numerous Chippewa rallies to win the game by the score of 30-25. In game three, the Hoosiers got off to a fast start as they reeled off five of the first six points and cruised to a 30-23 victory and a 3-0 match win. \n"The team came out and showed a lot of character tonight," coach Katie Weismiller said. "To come back and win game one was huge."\nSophomore Christina Archibald finished the match with a team leading 38 kills.\n"It took me a game to figure what the defense was running," Archibald said. "But after that, I knew I had the line open all day long."\nOn Saturday afternoon, the Hoosiers began their second match of the tournament by squaring off against state rival Butler. Game one went back and forth early, but the team held off the Bulldogs behind a couple 3-0 runs. The Hoosiers won game one 30-26. In the second game, Butler took an early lead and held off a late IU rally to win 30-27. The Bulldogs continued their momentum in game three with a late 8-1 run to pull ahead and eventually win 30-22.\n"They dug some hard shots; you have to give their players a lot of credit," Weismiller said. \nIn the deciding game four, Archibald had 21 kills and sophomore Katie Pollom added 11, as the Hoosiers jumped out early with a 12-5 lead. IU took a late 27-24 lead on a monstrous Archibald kill and won the game 30-28 on a Butler service error.\n"Our blocking picked up in game four," Weismiller said. "We had some key players step up for us."\nIn the fifth and deciding game, the Hoosiers established themselves early as they jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Hoosiers trailed13-12, but then scored the next three points before ending the match on a powerful Nikki Hill kill. \n"We knew it would be tough against Butler," Weismiller said. "We did not start off the way we wanted to, but a win is a win and I will take it anytime."\nNext up for the Hoosiers was the No. 30 ranked Louisville Cardinals. Archibald led the team as she scored five of the Hoosiers' first eight points, and the team won the first game 30-18. \nThe second game was more tightly contested, as the Hoosiers used timely blocking and powerful hitting to jump out to a 19-18 lead. Louisville pulled to within 28-24 on a kill by sophomore Bing Sun, but would get no closer as the Hoosiers scored three in a row to win 30-25. The third game turned out to be the closest game of the year for IU, with ties at 15, 21 and 28. Indiana grabbed a late 30-29 lead on a kill by Archibald. Louisville extended the match, however, scoring on an ace by junior outside hitter Anastasia Zaitseva and a kill by Sun to win game three 32-30. In game four, the Hoosiers jumped out to a 12-1 lead and never looked back. Louisville closed to within 6, at 21-15, but the Hoosiers cruised to a 30-22 game, match and tournament victory. \n"We came out and really played well in game four," Weismiller said. "Christina (Archibald) had a tremendous weekend and we did what we had to do -- run a fast offense, played defense and terminated."\nThe Hoosiers have won five in a row and now own a 10-2 record. Hoosiers Archibald, Hill and junior Melissa Brewer were named to the IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament Team.
(09/20/02 6:20am)
One week after finishing in second place at the Maryland Tournament, the women's volleyball team will try to improve on a 7-2 record, their seventh best start in team history. They play host to Central Michigan, Butler and Louisville in the IU Credit Union tournament this weekend. \nThe Hoosiers have won two in a row and four out of five, and with a win Friday night against Central Michigan, will have tied last year's win total of eight. Last weekend at the Maryland tournament, the Hoosiers lost their opening match to the Terrapins, but then came back to beat Loyola Marymount and Boston College 3-2.\n"It is important that we keep this momentum and winning streak going into, and through, the weekend," senior libero Hillary Toivonen said.\nToivonen leads the team with 3.06 digs per game, a statistic she said she takes a lot of pride in.\n"I want to be a defender that my whole team can count on," she said.\nIU will battle Central Michigan at 7 p.m. Friday night to open the tournament. The Chippewas enter the match with a 3-6 record. Senior middle hitter Kendra Devries leads the Chippewas with a 352 hitting percentage and 3 kills per game.\nOn Saturday afternoon, the Hoosiers will face off against in-state rival Butler, which enters the contest on a two game winning streak. IU is prepared for the Bulldogs best fight, head coach Katie Weismiller said.\n"We are Butler's biggest match of the season," coach Katie Weismiller said. "They will be after us."\nThe third and final match of the tournament has IU facing the 30th ranked Louisville Cardinals. The Cardinals match the Hoosiers with a 7-2 record. The last time the two teams met was in 1996, when the Hoosiers lost 3-0. \nThis tournament marks the conclusion of the non-conference schedule, but is only the Hoosiers' fourth home game. They own a 2-1 record at University Gym and said they understand the importance of establishing themselves at home.\n"We want to show our home fans how we can play this year," sophomore middle blocker Katie Pollom said. "We need to compete hard with our home fans watching." \nPollom leads the team with 1.18 blocks per game.\nDuring the Hoosiers 7-2 start this season, they have a match record of 23-11, while averaging almost four kills per game more than their opponent.\n"We want to keep our winning streak alive." Weismiller said. "I believe we will play well this weekend"
