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(02/29/08 5:26am)
After two weeks off, the IU softball team (1-4) heads south to Chattanooga, Tenn., to participate in the Frost Classic as the Hoosiers look for their second victory.\n“We are looking just to get some big wins,” said senior infielder Jennilee Huddleston.\nThe Hoosiers open play Friday morning against Connecticut. The Hoosiers come in to the game looking to build on the momentum they gained after getting their first win of the season against Tulsa two weeks ago. Senior infielder Kari Bettenbrock’s two-run, walk-off home run sealed the win over the Golden Hurricanes on Feb. 17 in California.\n“That win gave us confidence,” IU coach Stacey Phillips said. “We hope coming into this weekend’s games we can build on that.”\nThe Hoosiers have spent the past two weeks working on those aspects of their game they struggled with during their trip to California. \n“We worked a lot on our confidence and mental aspect of the game,” Phillips said. “We worked a lot on the small things.”\nAnother thing that hurt the Hoosiers in their first set of games was a lack of communication.\n“Our first weekend out, we did not communicate as effectively as we needed to,” junior infielder Sarah Padove said. “I think if we are able to improve our communication as a team, we will see a substantial difference in our level of play.”\nThe Hoosiers catch a bit of a break in this weekend’s games – their opponents’ records are not as impressive as those they faced in California. \nOf the teams the Hoosiers face this weekend, none made it to the NCAA tournament last year, as opposed to two of the five teams they played two weeks ago. Aside from host Chattanooga (9-7), the other four teams have losing records, and three of those teams have yet to win a game this season. \nAfter the two-week layoff, the Hoosiers are anxious to get back on the field and pick up some wins.\n“I expect us to come out on fire this weekend,” Padove said. “It is hard to start playing games and then have two weeks of practice again, and I know we are all ready to get back on the dirt and compete. I am confident we will have a much more successful weekend.”\nAfter the game against Connecticut, the Hoosiers will face Eastern Illinois (0-3) Friday at noon. On Saturday, IU opens play against Buffalo (0-5), followed by a bout with Chattanooga later in the afternoon. The Hoosiers finish play Sunday afternoon against Kentucky (5-7).
(02/26/08 5:56am)
Former UCLA coach and current ESPN/ABC broadcaster Steve Lavin spoke about coaching, college athletics and sports media Monday night in front of a packed house at the Ernie Pyle Auditorium. \nLavin, in a blue blazer and with his trademark slicked-back hair, said he has made numerous visits to Bloomington; the first followed his graduation from Chapman University. Lavin wrote letters to then-IU coach Bob Knight, among other high-profile coaches, with a request to observe and learn from his program. To his surprise, Knight granted Lavin’s request, and for three weeks allowed him to attend practices, game film discussions and team huddles during games.\n“It was a crash course,” Lavin said. “I learned as much in those three weeks than any other point.”\nHe made his second trip to IU as an assistant coach with Purdue. Lavin returned to Bloomington this time as an accomplished broadcaster, speaking to a large group of students in an event co-sponsored by the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and the School of Journalism. Alongside Brent Musberger and sideline reporter Erin Andrews, Lavin will broadcast today’s IU-Ohio State game. \n“What I miss most about the college setting is the atmosphere, energy and the interaction with the students,” Lavin said.\nLavin went over what he called his “Five Fundamentals of Achievement,” which are listening, passion or enthusiasm, work ethic, gratitude and, what Lavin called the most important, “bounce back.” Many of the life lessons Lavin shared originated from his mentor, legendary UCLA coach John Wooden. In his final season at UCLA in 2003, Lavin endured his first losing season, and the University fired him.\n“That year was most valuable to me,” Lavin said. “Going 10-19 in my final season and losing nine straight was a difficult time.”\nDespite being fired from UCLA, Lavin said he has no hard feelings for the school that gave him his first head coaching gig.\n“I was there for 12 years; they gave me my start,” Lavin said. “I was at peace with the decision and eager for the next stage of my career.”\nLavin ended his speech with a question and answer segments. He took questions on everything from his coaching career at UCLA to the current state of Hoosier basketball, his future as an NCAA coach and even how much hair gel he uses. Lavin admitted he was surprised about the quickness of the Kelvin Sampson dismissal, but said Sampson deserves another chance at coaching.\nAlthough Lavin recently signed a new six-year deal with ESPN/ABC, he has not ruled out a return to coaching. When asked if he would consider throwing his name into the pool of potential IU coaching candidates, the crowd and Lavin both erupted with laughter.\n“IU is not a fit for me,” Lavin said. “Here would not the place for me to achieve my balance, and that more than anything, having balance if I coach again, will be most important.”
(02/25/08 5:34am)
Former UCLA men’s basketball coach and current ESPN and ABC sports commentator Steve Lavin will speak tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Ernie Pyle Auditorium. \n“I will be talking about my coaching and broadcast career and at the end, open it up for a question and answer portion,” Lavin said during a phone \ninterview.\nPamela C. Laucella, an assistant professor of sport communication in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, was instrumental in bringing Lavin to IU because of her relationship with him and his father. \n“I chose to bring him here, students can benefit from his varied experiences in sports,” Laucella said in an e-mail. “Coach Lavin is a skilled and dynamic coach and basketball analyst and will share his expertise on coaching, college athletics and sport media.”\nBecause of his time as an assistant coach at Purdue and his current job as a college basketball broadcaster, Lavin is no stranger to Bloomington. His first visit to IU came in 1988 as an aspiring coach.\n“This is where it all began,” Lavin said. “As a student at Chapman University, I wrote letters to my four favorite coaches: Knight, Keady, Tarkanian, Krzyzewski.Both Knight and Keady got back with me and I was able to spend time observing both programs.” \nBefore coming to UCLA as an assistant coach in 1991, Lavin was a former Purdue assistant coach under Gene Keady. He then coached UCLA from 1996-2003 where he reached the NCAA tournament six consecutive years from 1997-2002. In Lavin’s first full year as the Bruins head coach, he was named the Basketball Times National Rookie Coach of the Year, and as a No. 2 seed, his team reached the elite eight before losing to No. 1 seed Minnesota in his inaugural season.
(02/19/08 5:26am)
It took senior Kari Bettenbrock and the Hoosiers (1-4) four games and the time leading up to their last out in the bottom of the seventh inning to capture their first win of the season. \nThis weekend, the Hoosiers played in California as they participated in the Campbell-Cartier Tournament, hosted by San Diego State.\nThe Hoosiers were down 6-5 in the bottom of the seventh, when Bettenbrock came to the plate with junior pinch runner Julie DiNallo on second because of junior second baseman Sarah Padove’s double to left field. Bettenbrock belted a walk-off home run over the center field wall to defeat Tulsa and give the IU its first victory of the season.\n“When I hit the ball, I remember thinking that it would score Sarah from second base, but I didn’t think it would make it out,” Bettenbrock said. “As I rounded first, I realized that it was gone and heard everyone going crazy in the dugout. It was an amazing feeling to be able to help the team get our first win.”\nJunior pitcher Monica Wright (1-1) got her first win of the season, pitching a complete game and scattering eight hits, six runs and four walks, and striking out four batters. Junior Emily Bergeson and senior Tory Yamaguchi each homered in the game as well. \nOne key to the Hoosiers’ victory was their eight hits. In their previous four games over the weekend, they only managed a total of 11 hits.\n“I thought we faced decent pitching; more than anything, I thought we were in control of our situation,” said IU coach Stacey Phillips. “In the last two games, I thought we settled in getting more comfortable and confident at the plate.”\nIn the Hoosiers’ first game Friday morning, they lost 10-0 in five innings to Fresno State. IU senior center fielder Julia Hamilton went 1-3 and recorded a stolen base.\nIn game two Friday evening, the Hoosiers took on host school San Diego State. They lost 9-0 and recorded one hit – Bettenbrock’s infield single in the fifth inning. \nSaturday morning, the Hoosiers took on UC Santa Barbara. IU was shut out for the third game in a row and fell to the Gauchos 5-0. The Hoosier’s best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the first, when they put runners on second and third with only one out. However, a flyout and a strikeout ended the threat. Freshman pitcher Alyssa Maiese (0-2) went the distance surrendering seven hits, five runs, three earned and striking out five. \nLater that morning, the squad took on Utah State. Although the Hoosiers had ended their three-game scoreless streak, they lost 6-5 to the Aggies. The Hoosiers had a comfortable lead at 5-1, but in the bottom of the fifth the Aztecs hit a two-run home run and scored an unearned run to cut the lead. They later scored another unearned run to tie the game at five. In the bottom of the seventh, the Aggies loaded the bases and won the game on a walk-off single. \nThe Hoosiers are now off until Feb. 29 when they travel to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the Frost Classic.
(02/15/08 5:04am)
Fourth-year IU head coach, Stacey Phillips, and the Hoosiers open up play today in the Campbell-Carter Tournament hosted by San Diego State University. IU’s first game of the season is Friday against Fresno State.\nOf the five teams the Hoosiers will be playing in the tournament, two – Fresno State and UC Santa Barbara – made the NCAA tournament last season. The Hoosiers come into this season looking to get back on track after finishing last in the conference a year ago with a record of 21-34 and only one conference win. The Hoosiers are just two years removed from making the NCAA tournament.\nThis year’s Hoosier squad is returning 16 players and is led by three seniors. Catcher Tory Yamaguchiis coming off a career season in 2007 during which she hit .295, with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs. She comes into this season only five home runs shy of the school record. \n“Tory gives us a lot of experience behind the plate and she controls situations defensively, very well,” Phillips said in a statement. “She is also going to lead the way for us at the plate. With her leadership, we are going to be scoring a lot of runs this year.”\nThird baseman Jennilee Huddleston comes into this season having started every game during the last two years. \n“Jennilee is very sure-handed at third base and is quick to the ball on bunts,” Phillips said in a statement. “With her at third base, it will present a challenge to teams that try to play small ball against us.” \nLast season, Huddleston hit a team-high .335 and also led the team in runs, hits, doubles, total bases and on-base percentage. \nThe last of the senior trio is lead-off hitter and centerfielder Julia Hamilton. Last season, she led the team in stolen bases, going 17-of-19 while only committing two errors in the outfield. \n“Julia is one of the fastest players in the Big Ten,” Phillips said in a statement, “and she tracks balls in the outfield almost better than anyone that I’ve ever seen.”\nFirst up for the Hoosiers are the Bulldogs (2-0), who the Western Athletic Conference coaches picked to finish second in the conference. The Bulldogs also have three players on their team who were picked for the preseason all-conference team. \nLater in the afternoon, the Hoosiers take on the host team, the Aztecs (4-1). San Diego State’s only loss came against No. 22/21 Mississippi State. The Aztecs come into the season after losing only two players from last year’s squad. All-American junior Erin Floros leads the team. \nOn Saturday, the Hoosiers take on UC Santa Barbara (1-4). Two of Santa Barbara’s four losses came from top 15 teams UCLA and Oklahoma. Immediately after the game and with little rest, the Hoosiers take on Utah State (0-5). Two of the Aggies’ losses also came against ranked teams Tennessee and Texas A&M. \nOn Sunday, the Hoosiers wrap up play against Tulsa (2-2). In their two wins, pitcher Jackie Lawrence shut down opponents and gave up only two earned runs total.
(11/19/07 4:54am)
Nov. 17 marked the final home game for three seniors on the IU volleyball team, as outside hitter Gabrielle Allison, right side Lauren Ditteon and middle blocker Annie Moddrell played their final match at the University Gym. But it was a bittersweet night, as the Hoosiers were defeated by Michigan 3-0 (30-21, 30-23, 30-24).\nThe Wolverines were the team responsible for starting the Hoosiers on their six-game losing streak earlier in the season, and IU came into the match looking to avenge an earlier 3-1 defeat. The Hoosiers were also trying to keep their slim hopes alive for a NCAA tournament bid, but the loss to Michigan leaves the Hoosiers with little chance of a postseason berth.\nIn game one, the Hoosiers (15-15, 6-12) were slow to start after getting down 5-1, 13-6 and 19-8 in the match en route to a 30-21 defeat. Nine of the Wolverines’ points came from Katie Bruzdzinski, who totaled nine kills and an impressive .353 hitting percentage. \nGame two was more competitive for the Hoosiers. After a kill from junior Erica Short, IU took the lead at the start of the game, 1-0. But the Hoosiers had to play from behind the rest of the game, never getting closer than four points at 14-10. Down 23-14, the Hoosiers went on a run, scoring the next three points and closing the gap to 23-17. However, after a Michigan time out, the Wolverines regained momentum to take a 25-17 lead and clinch the game 30-23.\nGame three was a back-and-forth battle, with eight lead changes and sixteen ties. Freshman middle blocker Taylor Wittmer sparked the Hoosiers in game three, coming off the bench with six kills. But that was not enough to slow Michigan. With IU down 25-23, the Wolverines took the next four points to push their lead to 29-23. After an IU point, Michigan took the next point to win the match 30-24. \nAlthough the outcome of Senior Night might not have been ideal, Allison said she will be trying to finish the season strong with two road games next weekend. \n“It is definitely bittersweet,” Allison said. “We have to try to remain positive. We still have two games next week, and we know we have the opportunity to \ngo 2-0.”\nFor Ditteon, who has played in every match since her freshman year, Saturday’s final home game was difficult to put \ninto words.\n“It’s really hard to walk off the court for the last time,” she said. “I am glad I got to have the experience.”\nThe Hoosiers received some good news Saturday night, as co-captain Juli Pierce, who is listed as a senior on the roster, will return for one more year with the Hoosiers. Pierce, a walk-on in 2004, did not play in 2005. In 2006, she received a scholarship and returned to the team. Having someone with her experience and leadership is something coach Sherry Dunbar is looking forward to next year. \n“This is huge,” she said. “I cannot tell you how excited I am to have Juli back next year. I am glad she wants to come back to be a leader and help with continuing in turning this program around.”
(11/14/07 5:07am)
The IU volleyball team (15-13, 6-10) travels to West Lafayette at 7 p.m. today to take on Purdue (15-12, 8-8). With four matches left in the season, IU still has an opportunity to secure an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. The bid would be IU’s first tournament appearance since 2002. The Hoosiers know the only way they can achieve that goal is by not looking ahead. \n“We are taking it game by game,” freshman setter Mara Hilgenberg said. “Right now, we just need to focus on Purdue.” \nIU will likely have to win three of the next four games to have a good chance of receiving an at-large bid. Even with a 9-11 conference record, a bid is not guaranteed for the Hoosiers. With the pressure to play well down the stretch, IU coach Sherry Dunbar feels that this week’s games gives her team an added advantage. \n“I feel we have an incentive this week. It is nice that we have Purdue. I do not think it will be hard for the team to get up for this game, because it is a rivalry game and a game that is televised.” Dunbar said. “We do not have to play back-to-back (matches) this weekend, and on Saturday we have a home match and it is Senior Night.”\nIn the team’s first meeting on Oct. 17, the Hoosiers defeated the Boilermakers 3-1.\nSince then, Purdue has changed its scheme, going from a 5-1 formation with only one setter to a 6-2 formation with an additional setter. Dunbar said this formation generates more opportunities on offense, but requires more of the setters. \nIU’s chances of victory may depend on the play of one of Purdue’s key players. Junior Stephanie Lynch comes into the game ranked fourth in the conference with a .348 hitting percentage. In IU’s win earlier in the season, the team held Lynch to a .259 hitting percentage.\nBefore Saturday’s win against Iowa, IU came into last Saturday’s match on a six-game losing streak.\nOne thing sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall said about the losing streak is the team got away from things it used to do well.\n“We got away from fighting and playing as a team,” Hall said. “During some of our loses our intensity level was down.”\nWednesday night, senior co-captain Juli Pierce will in all likelihood break the all-time single-season dig mark. Currently, Pierce sits at 434 digs, which puts her just three shy of the single-season record. Pierce also comes into this week’s play as the Defensive Player of the Week in the Big Ten. \nThis was the very first Player of the Week award in her career. In games against Minnesota and Iowa last weekend, Pierce totaled 35 kills and averaged 5.83 digs per game.
(11/12/07 4:52am)
The IU volleyball team (15-13, 6-10) snapped a six-game losing streak Saturday night at the University Gym with a sweep over Iowa (31-29, 30-28, 30-22). Before Saturday’s match, IU dropped one to Minnesota on Friday night at home 3-0 (22-30, 28-30, 28-30). \nIn game one Friday night, the Gophers’ offense came out strong with a hitting percentage of .463, which led to an eight-point win. In game two, IU was able to get within one point at 25-24, and still kept it close late, down 29-28. Minnesota then took a time out, during which they drew up a play to get the game-winning kill from Gopher standout Brooke Dieter. Dieter ended the three-game series with a game-high 23 kills. The third game was also close, with the lead never getting any larger than four points. Down 29-27, IU took the next point with an Ashley Benson kill. However, on the next possession, the Gophers took the final point to win the game 30-28. \nBenson, a freshman middle blocker, tallied eight kills while hitting .350. Two Hoosiers finished with double-digit kills – sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall with 13 and junior outside hitter Erica Short with 10.\nComing into Saturday’s match, Iowa had lost 11 matches in a row and had been swept in seven straight matches. Their last win came Sept. 28 against Michigan. \nIn a sloppy game one, which saw 20 lead changes and no lead of more than two points, the Hoosiers squeaked by Iowa 31-29 partly because of a strong first game by Benson, who had five kills and three block assists. In five of IU’s last six losses, they did not win the opening game of any match. IU coach Sherry Dunbar thought taking the first game would be a good momentum builder. \n“This is definitely something we talked about in pregame,” Dunbar said. “I told them we just need to find a way to get a win.” \nIn game two, the Hoosiers again edged Iowa 30-28 despite an attack percentage of .200. A key point in the game came when IU was down 25-21 and scored the next six points to push the lead to 27-25. They never looked back from there. \nGame three was a bit easier for the Hoosiers, as they held a consistent lead en route to a 30-22 win. \nGetting a rare start in Saturday’s game was senior middle blocker Annie Moddrell. Dunbar said the energy Moddrell brought in Friday’s game was what gave her the start Saturday night.\n“I did not know until right before game time that I was going to start,” Moddrell said. “I just wanted to come out and put a spark in our team.”\nAt 6-10 in the conference with four games remaining, IU still has a chance at an NCAA bid. However, Short said the team is not focusing on postseason play right now. \n“We can’t look ahead,” Short said. “It is in the back of our heads, but we know we can only get there if we take it one game at a time.”
(10/29/07 3:40am)
The IU volleyball team suffered its first winless weekend in conference play this weekend, losing to No. 8 Wisconsin and Illinois. \nFriday night, IU (14-10, 5-7) narrowly missed an opportunity to upset the Badgers. It took Wisconsin five games to defeat the Hoosiers (23-30, 20-30, 31-29, 30-28, 14-16). \nSaturday night did not go IU’s way either. After defeating Illinois earlier in the year at Champaign, Ill., in five games, the Hoosiers were defeated by the Illini 3-1 (26-30, 26-30, 30-26, 27-30) at home.\nIn Friday’s five-game thriller, IU got down early, losing the first two games. However, the team came back to win the next two games by margins of two points each. In the decisive fifth game, IU was able to take an early lead at 8-7. After swapping the next few points, the Hoosiers found themselves serving for match point up 14-12. However, IU’s upset bid was lost, as the Badgers took the next four points to win game five and the match.\n“I’m proud of them for showing up tonight with that intensity and that energy that they had, and for competing,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said Friday night. “They could have just dropped after being down 0-2. For them to come back and fight that hard, it shows a lot of character about this team.”\nAfter recent struggles with her offensive production, junior outside hitter Erica Short led the Hoosiers with 23 kills, and she finished with an attack percentage of .375.\n“My struggles recently have been mostly a mental thing,” Short said. “Our sport psychologist and coach have helped me a lot.”\nTwo Hoosiers also had double-doubles in the match. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall finished the match with 17 kills and 12 digs, and senior right side Lauren Ditteon finished the match with 15 kills and 10 digs. \nSaturday against Illinois, as they did the night before, IU dropped the first two games of the match. IU took game three, in large part due to its defense, and limited Illinois to a .163 hitting percentage. \nIn game four, IU started quickly, gaining a 5-0 lead, then pushing that to 9-2. The lead would not hold, however, as the Illini fought back to take their first lead at 26-25 and never looked back, taking the game 30-27.\nIU had four players record double-digit kills, with Short leading the way with 17. Hall finished with 16, Ditteon with 12 and freshman middle blocker Ashley Benson had 11.\nThe weekend’s losses mark the first time this season the Hoosiers – now 5-7 in the Big Ten – ended a weekend below .500 in the conference. \n“We are a good team,” Ditteon said. “We played well against the No. 8-ranked team. We need to remember how we played in that game.” \nWith upcoming road games against Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State, Dunbar stressed the importance of practice this week to bounce back after this weekend’s play.\n“We have to work on the bad things from this weekend,” Dunbar said. “This week of practice is going to be very important. It’s tough to go on the road, but I know that we are going to be fired up, be really prepared.”
(10/26/07 3:57am)
The IU volleyball team (14-8, 5-5) comes into the second half of the Big Ten conference schedule on pace to get their first NCAA tournament berth since 2002.\nThis week, they face two familiar opponents. IU will host No. 8 Wisconsin (17-2, 9-1) at 7 p.m. Friday and Illinois (12-8, 4-6) at 7 p.m. Saturday. Both matches will take place at the University Gym.\nEarlier this season, the Hoosiers were swept by the Badgers 3-0 (17-30, 31-33, 16-30), but defeated Illinois in a five-game thriller 3-2 (24-30, 30-22, 15-30, 30-23, 16-14). \nWith the Hoosiers in good standing within the conference for the first time in five years, the team is trying to finish the season strong. \n“Right now, we are in a good position in the conference,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “This part of the season, teams usually go up or down in the standings. We want to be one of the teams on the rise up.” \nIU has four freshmen playing significant time, and by this time in high school their seasons would usually have been over. Dunbar is using her coaching and the veteran player’s advice to keep the freshmen and the rest of the team focused.\n“We must stay focused,” said senior co-captain Juli Pierce. “When we play we need to forget about everything else and worry about the game.” \nOne of Wisconsin’s key players is sophomore Brittany Dolgner. Dolgner leads the conference in kills with 4.84 per game and in points with 5.39. In the game at Wisconsin on Oct. 6, Dolgner racked up 16 kills and totaled 17.5 points in all. \nThe first time IU played Wisconsin, Dunbar said the Hoosiers had a problem with their defensive intensity. Dunbar is convinced that the Hoosiers will come out with better intensity this time around. A little extra motivation for IU to have a good defensive outing is due to Friday’s game being a part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. For every dig the team racks up, fans have the opportunity to donate to the cure for breast cancer. \n“Our defense this week at practice has been good,” Dunbar said. “With Friday’s game being the Dig for the Cure Match it gives them extra motivation to do well defensively.”\nAnother thing IU will have to improve upon if they want to knock off Wisconsin are the mistakes they made against the Badgers earlier in the season. \n“We need to maintain our passing, reduce errors and serve tough against them,” Dunbar said.\nLast weekend, the Hoosiers didn’t play on Saturday or Sunday for the first time in nearly two months. The time off gave them an opportunity to rest up and prepare for Wisconsin and Illinois this week.\n“The time off has helped us mentally,” said freshman setter Mara Hilgenberg.
(10/22/07 3:53am)
Despite upsetting No. 15 Michigan in game one, the IU volleyball team (13-8, 5-5) lost the next three games to the Wolverines (30-28, 23-30, 18-30, 27-30) Friday night in Ann Arbor, Mich. \nIU trailed for much of game one, but their defensive effort ultimately put the team on top. \nDown 25-23, IU notched three consecutive points to force a Michigan timeout. Following the break, junior outside hitter Erica Short sent Michigan’s attack right back for her third solo block of game one. Moments later, a Michigan service ace narrowed the lead to 29-28. IU responded immediately, however, as freshman middle blocker Taylor Wittmer finished off the next rally with a kill to take game one, 30-28. \nWittmer filled the stat sheet in game one, recording five kills on all five attack attempts and racking up four blocks. \nIn game two, Michigan built an early lead that IU could not overcome. Down by 11 points at 22-11, IU did make a run, winning five straight points to narrow the gap to 22-16. However, the Wolverines came out victorious in game two. Although IU’s offense picked up in game three, Michigan’s offense did as well as the Wolverines hit .404 to win the game.\nIn game four, IU started quickly, opening up with a 6-2 lead. The Hoosiers were able to hold onto the lead until Michigan took a 25-24 edge late in the game. Michigan went on to win the game 30-27, taking the match 3-1. \nWhat doomed IU in its three lost games seemed to be the passing ability, which has been one of the team’s strong points all season, IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. \n“We did not pass well at all,” Dunbar said. “We could not get into a rhythm – passing has been something we had been doing well prior to Friday’s match.” \nBecause of the game Wednesday against Purdue, Michigan was IU’s only opponent on the weekend. This was the first Saturday the team has had off in nearly two months. \n“It gives our team the rare chance to be regular students,” Dunbar said. “I told them to go out and take the opportunity to go to the football game and field hockey game.” \nWittmer took the weekend off to rest and put the season in perspective.\n“It is great to have the weekend off,” she said. “I feel like this weekend will allow us to relax and reflect on this first half of Big Ten.” \nSitting at .500 in the conference at the halfway point of the Big Ten season, IU has put itself in position to have its first winning season since 2002. The Hoosiers know that they still need to improve to finish the season strong. \n“We need to work harder to improve our defense and passing,” senior right side Lauren Ditteon said. “If we do that, we will be able to do some great things.”
(10/18/07 4:15am)
Last night with the Big Ten Network televising the game, the IU volleyball team defeated Purdue 3-1 (31-29, 21-30, 30-25, 30-26).\nThe network’s presence heightened the excitement of the in-state rivalry match at the University Gym, and the Hoosiers responded well to the pressure. IU dropped 12 consecutive games to Purdue spanning over two years. But in the latest series match up, the Hoosiers prevailed, improving their record to 5-4 in the conference and 14-7 overall. \n“This win gives us a sense of pride,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “Being the state school, this is a big win for us.”\nIn a wild game one in which IU was down 20-28, the Hoosiers scored four consecutive points to make the score 24-28. Purdue then took a timeout, but that was not enough to stop IU’s momentum. They went on to score the next four points to tie the game at 28. Purdue then took another timeout. When play resumed on an IU serve, freshman middle blocker Ashley Benson''s kill gave IU their first lead since the opening point of the match. Purdue scored the next point on a dive attempt that could not keep the ball alive. That put the match at 29. IU’s next point came on junior outside hitter Erica Short''s kill making the score 30-29. IU scored matchpoint with an attack error by Purdue to win game one, 31-29. \nIn game two, Purdue came out strong. After taking a 3-4 lead they never looked back, pushing the lead to 15-22. A bad break for the Hoosiers came on a spike by Benson, which was called out when it appeared to go off a Boilermaker player. Purdue scored the match’s next nine of 12 points to eventually win game two 21-30. Benson led IU again with five kills to bring her total to 10 at that point in the game. \nIn game three, Purdue once again came out strong, having a lead at one point 6-10. IU fought back to tie the game at 11 and then again at 14. The Hoosiers took their first lead at 15-14. IU pushed the lead to 22-17, then to 27-20, and eventually to the final score of 30-25. \nGame four proved to be the closest of the four games with 12 ties and four lead changes. Purdue fought to tie match at 22. The teams traded the next five points making it 25-24 with IU in the lead. IU went on to score six of the next eight points in the game to win 30-26. \n“As soon as we scored that last point it felt amazing,” freshman defensive specialist Morgan Miller said. “I was screaming; it felt amazing.”\nBloomington-product Benson has been waiting for this moment ever since she was a child. \n“Ever since I was little, I wanted to come play volleyball at IU to play (against Purdue),” Benson said. “This game will do a lot for our confidence.” \nLeading IU statistically was outside hitter Kelsey Hall with 17 kills and 14 digs. The Hoosiers had two other women with double digit kills. Senior Lauren Ditteon recorded 15 kills and Benson had 14. IU is back in action Friday as they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich.
(10/15/07 5:05am)
For the fourth consecutive weekend of Big Ten conference play, the IU volleyball team (13-7, 4-4) split a pair of matches at home. \nFriday night, in front of a school-record crowd of 11,086 – partly because the game opened Hoosier Hysteria festivities – visiting Michigan State swept IU 3-0 (25-30, 26-30, 26-30). Saturday at the University Gym, IU defeated Northwestern 3-1 (30-26, 30-26, 22-30, 30-27).\nAlthough on paper it appeared that IU played Michigan State close, IU coach Sherry Dunbar was not pleased with her team’s performance. \n“We just did not play well, and it showed,” Dunbar said.\nDunbar dismissed the idea that the record crowd and the possibility of looking ahead to its match with in-state rival Purdue on Wednesday were possible reasons for her team’s poor play Friday night. \nAlready down 0-1 to Michigan State, IU found itself down 14-19 in the second game. The Hoosiers took a time-out to regroup, which worked in their favor, as they surged back to tie the game at 25.\nIU could not hold on to that momentum, however, as the Spartans pulled out the win 26-30 in game two. IU went on to lose game three by the same margin.\nIn spite of the loss, a few Hoosiers stood out statistically in the game.\nSenior defensive specialist Juli Pierce ended the match with 16 digs, and junior outside hitter Erica Short led the team with 15 kills.\nDunbar’s post-match talk fired the team up going into Saturday’s match.\n“She gave us a big talk,” Short said. “Coach went back to the Ohio State game and told us how well we played.”\nIn Saturday’s match against Northwestern, IU came out with the intensity and fight it lacked the night before. \n“We fought and were very competitive,” Dunbar said. “When we had to get points, we got points.”\nIn the fourth game alone, there were five lead changes, and the score was tied on 15 different occasions.\nDuring the match, Pierce exceeded 1,000 digs for her career. She’s just the eighth player in school history to reach that milestone. \nShe ended the match with a game-high 25 digs.\nFour women on IU’s team ended the match with double-digit kills. Short let the way with 17 kills and 10 digs, senior right side Lauren Ditteon had 11 kills and 11 digs and freshman middle blocker Ashley Benson and sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall both notched 10 kills. Hall also recorded 10 digs. \nIU is undefeated in games during which Ditteon has recorded a double-double.\n“We were ready to play tonight,” Hall said. “After last night’s talk, coach pumped us up for (Saturday’s) game.” \nIU, now 4-4 in conference play, sits in a three-way tie for fifth place. IU is back in action Wednesday, when it welcomes Purdue for its third consecutive home game. The game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
(10/05/07 4:12am)
The IU volleyball team (11-5, 2-2) comes into play this week with its best conference start since 2003. \nCurrently, the team sits at 2-2 and is in a three-way tie for fourth in the conference. This weekend, a win against either Illinois or No. 9 Wisconsin would give the Hoosiers as many conference wins as they have had in the last two seasons.\nThe Hoosiers will play Illinois (10-4, 2-2), who is tied with IU in the conference standings, at 8 p.m. Friday in Champaign, Ill.\nIllinois boasts freshman outsider hitter Laura DeBruler, reigning conference player of the week. She averaged 4.9 kills on the strength of a .333 hitting percentage as Illinois defeated Michigan State 3-2 and Northwestern 3-0 on the road. \nAfter taking on the Fighting Illini, IU will fly to Madison, Wis. to face the Badgers at 8 p.m. Saturday. Wisconsin (12-1, 4-0) is in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten. \nThe Hoosiers will be trying to build on last week’s home success, when they beat Ohio State and played aggressively against No. 3 Penn State, holding them to a hitting efficiency of .188 in the second game.\nAlthough Penn State and Wisconsin are the two top teams in the conference, their playing styles differ, IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. \n“Penn State is a more athletic team, while Wisconsin relies on its long tradition and home court advantage,” she said.\nAfter playing Penn State last week, the Hoosiers face another top-10 team: Wisconsin. Senior defensive specialist Juli Pierce said she feels confident about taking on the Badgers. \n“After playing Penn State, I know we can play with the top teams,” she said. “I think we definitely have a shot to beat Wisconsin.”\nPlaying on the road presents another challenge for IU. \n“Playing on the road is tough in this conference,” Dunbar said. “That’s why we stress the importance of home games.”\nFreshman setter Mara Hilgenberg also stressed the importance of maintaining focus on the road. \n“We have to pretend we are at home and play with the same intensity,” Hilgenberg said.\nBesides the road challenge, the team will have to continue to work on obstacles from last week.\n“We still need to work on our defense, blocking and continue to go after every ball,” Pierce said.\nOne challenge the squad may have to overcome is getting enough rest and preparation. After their game at Illinois, the Hoosiers will immediately board a plane to Wisconsin. The small amount of down time does not give the team much time to scout the Badgers. \n“This week in practice, we have been pushing Illinois all week. The team has had their DVD to scout them,” Dunbar said. “We don’t want our kids to look ahead to Wisconsin, we as coaches are the ones who do the looking ahead.”\nThe trip to Illinois will be a homecoming for three of the women on the team. Hilgenberg, who is from Lake Forest, Ill., said she is looking forward to the trip.\n“It a chance to show what Indiana University has to bring,” she said.
(09/28/07 4:29am)
On Friday, the IU volleyball team (10-4, 1-1) will face its toughest competition to date. IU will be taking on No. 3 Penn State at 7 p.m. in the \nUniversity Gym.\nAfter playing Penn State on Friday evening, the Hoosiers will have to refocus as they take on another quality opponent, Ohio State (7-4, 1-1), at 7 p.m. Saturday in the University Gym. \nComing into the weekend, Penn State is 2-0 in the conference and 10-2 overall. IU coach Sherry Dunbar said she holds the team in high regard. \n“They are a team without a lot of weaknesses, and that is the reason for their high ranking,” Dunbar said. \nPenn State will bring something to the table the Hoosiers have not faced all year: size. Penn State’s roster possesses seven players listed at 6-foot-2 or taller and two players listed at 6-foot-4. By contrast, IU only has two players listed at 6-foot-2 or taller. \nLeading the way for Penn State is 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter Nicole Fawcett. Last season, Fawcett was an American Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-American and a unanimous choice for First Team All-Big Ten. Thus far this season, she leads the conference in average kills per game – IU’s Erica Short ranks second in that category – and total points per game.\nThe Nittany Lions play a style that takes advantage of their height, Dunbar said. \n“They like to hit the ball to the outside to their 6’3,” 6’4” all-conference big hitters,” she said. \nThe Penn State game will no doubt be a challenge for the Hoosiers as a whole, but especially for three freshmen who see significant playing time – middle blocker Ashley Benson, setter Mara Hilgenberg and middle blocker Taylor Wittmer. It will be the Hoosiers’ first contest against a team ranked in the top 10 nationally.\nSenior right side Lauen Ditteon said tough competition will help the freshmen in the long run. \n“The more they play against tough teams, the more comfortable and confident they will get,” Ditteon said. \nDunbar agreed, saying, “The freshmen are definitely excited. For those girls, I think this is why they came to IU – to play against elite competition. This will be a good learning experience.” \nBesides worrying about Penn State, the Hoosiers have to maintain a high level of play throughout the match, something they struggled with last weekend. \n“Last weekend against Minnesota, our competitiveness was awesome the first game,” Dunbar said. “Then the second and third game was not so competitive. I’m trying to stress we need to get better every game.”\nPrior to this week, Ohio State had been ranked in the Top 25. Dunbar says their style is different from Penn State’s, because Ohio State is fast and plays a combination of styles. \nOhio-native Short denied that she has any extra incentive to beat a team to which she has home ties. \n“This is like any other game, but if we do beat them, I will be excited,” she said.
(09/26/07 11:40pm)
For the IU volleyball team, the start of Big Ten conference play is a whole different challenge from what it has faced so far this season. The Big Ten Conference is arguably the toughest in the nation. The conference has five teams ranked in the Top 20, and in-state rival Purdue recently dropped out of the Top 25. \nThe last three years, the Hoosiers have finished in the cellar of their conference, winning just five conference games in that time. They haven’t reached the NCAA tournament since 2002, when Katie Weismiller – IU’s all-time winningest coach – was at the helm. \nEven though preseason predictions have the Hoosiers finishing last in the conference this season, IU appears ready to make new strides. With six newcomers – both freshmen and transfers – and a new coaching staff for the first time since 1993, the Hoosiers have a new identity that might take them further than pundits expect. \nTaking control of the program is Sherry Dunbar. Before coming to IU, Dunbar saw success at her previous school, the College of Charleston. There, she tallied four Southern Conference regular season titles, three conference titles and advanced to the NCAA regionals three times. \n“One thing we’ve really been working on is the team’s intensity level, transferring from practice to game days,” Dunbar said. \nOne new coach joining Dunbar is Sarah Gustin. Gustin served as assistant coach under Dunbar at Charleston prior to coming to IU. As a Michigan State graduate, Big Ten ties might make Gustin one of the biggest new assets for a team with as many new faces as the Hoosiers have this season. \n“I bring Big Ten playing experiences to the team,” Gustin said. \nRounding out the coaching staff is David Jack, an assistant coach with more than 20 years of experience, including time as a player on the Jamaican National Team.\nJack is no stranger to IU volleyball – he is the husband of IU women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack and had watched the Hoosiers play before coming to the team. He said he can already see the differences Dunbar has brought to the team this year\n“I think this year’s team will have more fight in them,” Jack said. “If they were down 0-2 last year, they would have lost the match 0-3. I don’t think that will happen this year. Dunbar brings fight to the table.”\nThe Hoosiers will look to the play of junior outside hitter Erica Short – who has played in every game since her freshman year – when the conference season begins. As a freshman in 2005, she eclipsed IU’s single-season freshman kill mark. In that same year, her 3.46 kills per game was good for 10th in the Big Ten. She has quickly moved up the team’s all-time kill list. At her current pace, she will easily crack the Top 10 this season and has the chance to finish her career as high as second all-time in school history in that category. \nSo far this season, she has already drawn recognition for her play and was named to the all-tournament team in the UT Comcast Classic. She was also ranked first in the conference in kills per game as of press time.\nThe Hoosiers’ first home conference match will be Sept. 28 against preseason conference favorite Penn State.
(09/26/07 11:36pm)
Meet new IU volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar. \nComing to IU is sort of a homecoming for Dunbar. Even though she was born in California, she moved to Ellettsville, Ind. when she was 3 years old. She grew up there and played volleyball locally at Edgewood High School. Dunbar then went on to play collegiately at Ball State.\nBefore coming to IU, Dunbar flourished at her previous position as head coach at the College of Charleston, where she racked up 113 total wins in four seasons – good for a .837 win percentage. \nDuring the 2005 season, Dunbar’s team posted a school-best 32-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Other accomplishments that season included the Cougars posting the third-best winning percentage in the nation, with their only losses coming to a pair of ranked teams. \nDunbar’s team finished a perfect 18-0 in conference play that year, losing only three games in those matches. That perfect record extended the Cougars’ league winning streak to 33 matches.\nThe defensive-minded Dunbar – excited about the competition she will face each match in the Big Ten, which she calls the best conference in the country – has large shoes to fill. Despite struggles in the last few seasons, former IU volleyball coach Katie Weismiller was IU’s all-time leader in victories at that position. \nHowever, Dunbar and her staff have a chance to do something Weismiller had not since 2002: take the team back to the NCAA tournament, a daunting task because of the strength of the Big Ten. \nIn order for Dunbar and the Hoosiers to advance to the NCAA tournament, they must finish at least .500 in the Big Ten – their conference record the last time the team made it that far into the postseason. \nDunbar has already begun reaching for that goal by instilling a new attitude with the team. Some veteran players say the level of intensity Dunbar expects every day is higher than they have faced in previous years.\n“She demands intensity and brings maximum effort into every practice,” senior right side Lauren Ditteon said.\nJunior outside hitter Erica Short said the team had to adapt to Dunbar’s coaching style. \n“The intensity she brings to practice is something we weren’t used to,” Short said. \nBecause of the program’s recent struggles, Dunbar said she needs to work on changing the attitudes and competitiveness of her team. She said she will set a tone of competition from the very beginning of practice. \nDunbar also said that, to have a successful season, the team needs to display good leadership and be “feisty.” In preseason conference play, under Dunbar’s guidance, the Hoosiers tallied nine wins in 12 matches and won one of the four tournaments in which they played. \nDunbar said, however, that she is not as worried about wins and losses as she is about improving. \n“Right now,” Dunbar said, “it’s about getting better every day and not so much about wins and losses.”
(09/24/07 4:03am)
Over the weekend, the Hoosiers opened Big Ten play with a split, defeating Iowa 3-2 before falling to No. 12 Minnesota 0-3. \nIU coach Sherry Dunbar made her conference debut Friday in Iowa City as her team faced the Hawkeyes. The match turned out to be her first career Big Ten win and a five-game thriller. After being down 0-2 to the Hawkeyes, the Hoosiers fought back and won the match, 3-2 (29-31, 23-30, 30-21, 31-29, 15-13). \nWhen they went into the locker room down 0-2, Dunbar had to rally the team.\n“I emphasized the attitude we needed to be playing with, and that we needed to stick to our program,” Dunbar said.\nSenior co-captain Juli Pierce knew the team was not playing to its full capability.\n“We were not playing our type of game, we were playing more to Iowa’s style,” she said.\nSparking the rally were seniors Annie Moddrell and Gabrielle Allison. Moddrell came in to play this week after nursing a leg injury and sitting out much of practice.\n“I just needed rest on the leg,” Moddrell said. “The athletic training staff did a lot last week to get me ready for play,” \nShe contributed on offense as she had five kills, while Allison contributed on the defensive side recording three blocks.\nIn the pivotal fifth game, the Hawkeyes jumped out to a 7-10 lead which they relinquished by allowing the Hoosiers to score on the next four consecutive points, making the score 11-10. Tied at 13, the back-to-back kills by junior outside hitter Erica Short and senior right side Lauren Ditteon wrapped up the match for the Hoosiers.\n“The fact that we fought back at this level and came back from 0-2 is a true test of what we have been working on,” Dunbar said in a statement. “We are setting a standard for this program, these girls just keep fighting.”\nLeading the team in kills were Short and Ditteon, with 23 and 18, respectively. Also during Friday night’s game, two different Hoosiers etched their names in the all-time record book. Pierce’s 22 digs increased her career total to 905, surpassing two people to move into ninth place all-time.\n“I was excited and just want to thank my teammates,” Pierce said.\nFellow senior Moddrell also cracked the Top 10 with five blocks on the night, recording the 10th most total blocks – 278 – in school history.\n“I was ecstatic,” Moddrell said. “I was not even aware of it until one of the managers told me. I could not stop smiling. It is an honor to be in the record books with some of the top names in this program.” \nAfter having a day off Saturday to travel to Minneapolis, the Hoosiers took on Minnesota Sunday afternoon. They dropped all three matches against the host Golden Gophers losing 30-32, 16-30, 21-30. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall led the Hoosiers with 12 kills and 10 digs.\nThe Hoosiers (10-4, 1-1) return to their home court 7 p.m. Friday as they take on No. 3 Penn State.
(09/14/07 4:33am)
The IU volleyball team will finally debut at home this weekend when it hosts the IU adidas Classic this Friday and Saturday. The team comes into this weekend’s play riding a tournament win last weekend at the Valparaiso Popcorn Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. It was IU’s first tournament win after two second-place finishes in previous tournaments this season. \nThe location of this weekend’s tournament, Assembly Hall, is something of a home away from home. \nThe Hoosiers usually play their home games at the University Gym, located at Tenth Street and the State Route 45/46 Bypass. The team may have to get used to a different atmosphere when it plays at Assembly Hall. \n“It is a lot bigger than we are used to,” freshman middle blocker Taylor Wittmer said.\n Despite playing in a semi-foreign venue, IU coach Sherry Dunbar and several players expressed excitement about \nplaying at Assembly Hall. \n“It’s a cool thing playing at such a prestigious place,” Dunbar said. \nThe match begins at 10 a.m., and the volleyball team will use that time to get fans riled up before the IU football team hosts Akron later that day at noon at Memorial Stadium. \n“This is a good opportunity to help us with marketing our team,” Dunbar said.\nThe last three weeks, the squad has shown how versatile it can be, placing six of its women on all-tournament teams in the three preseason tournaments that it competed in. \n“The team’s been really stepping up,” Dunbar said.\nRecently, the play of sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Hall has caused Dunbar to take notice. Hall – a transfer from UCLA, who Dunbar said was inconsistent at the beginning of the season – was named to the all-tournament team last weekend at Valparaiso. \n“I have just had to step up and play better,” Hall said.\nThe tournament also marks the last tune-up the team gets before entering conference play at Iowa next Friday. \n“We need to limit errors, control our side of the court, definitely continue to work on our communication,” Wittmer said.\nThe Hoosiers face three formidable opponents, beginning Friday when they take on East Tennessee State at 7 p.m. They are the defending regular-season Atlantic Sun Conference champion and came into this season slated to finish second in their conference behind Belmont, a team the Hoosiers defeated earlier this season 3-0. At 10 a.m. Saturday, the squad will take on North Carolina Central, a team entering its first season of D-I volleyball. \nLast season, while playing in Division II, they won a school-record 32 games en route to a conference championship. The Hoosiers will likely have to go through a ranked team – No. 23 St. John’s – in the final match of the tournament, set to be played at 8 p.m. A perfect record on the weekend will give the Hoosiers their second tournament victory of the season.
(09/03/07 5:06am)
This weekend, the Hoosier volleyball team proved they could hold their own against elite competition, as they took two of three matches at the University of Tennessee Comcast Classic in Knoxville, Tenn., improving to 4-2 for the season. All three of the Hoosiers opponents this weekend advanced to the NCAA tournament last season. \n“We made baby steps this weekend,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “This weekend, we played good quality teams with them all making the tournament last season.”\nIn their first match, the Hoosiers swept Belmont 3-0 (30-26, 30-21, 39-37). Junior outside hitter Erica Short led the offensive attack with 19 kills. Freshman middle blocker Ashley Benson had an impressive match, totaling 10 kills and adding five blocks.\nThe Hoosiers carried this momentum into their next match against Jacksonville State. Despite coming out a bit lethargic and falling down 2-0 after two games, the squad never gave up and rallied back to win the final three games to take the match 3-2 (26-30, 26-30, 32-30, 30-23, 15-8). \n“Coming back after being down 0-2 in the Jacksonsville State game is sort of a milestone for us,” Dunbar said. “It was a good comeback.”\nThis improved the team to 4-1, and gave them a chance to take the tournament title in their final match against \nhost Tennessee. \nSenior right side Lauren Ditteon had an impressive all-around game, totaling 12 kills, 12 digs, eight blocks, two assists and a service ace. Benson once again made her presence felt for the Hoosiers, racking up 14 kills and adding six blocks.\nIn the pivotal fifth game, the Hoosier offense had an impressive .533 hitting percentage. Short had an impressive string herself in that last match. She recorded four kills on four swings, and also added two digs to bring her total to 15.\nFor the second time in consecutive weekends, the Hoosier women came into their last match of the weekend with a chance to take a tournament crown. And for the second straight weekend, they got swept in the final match, this week to Tennessee.\nAfter falling behind 10-23 in game one, the Tennessee team never looked backed as they swept the Hoosiers 0-3 (20-30, 22-30, 26-30). The loss meant the Hoosiers finished second out of five teams. \nLeading the team offensively was Short, an all tournament team honoree. Short recorded 12 kills against Tennessee. Benson also earned all-tournament team accolades due to her stellar performance over the weekend. \nBenson’s play earned praise from Dunbar, as did the performance of two freshmen, setter Mara Hilgenberg and outsider hitter Taylor Wittmer. \n“Benson looked much better this weekend; she was a lot more animated on the court,” Dunbar said. \nDunbar added that the three freshmen are all getting good game experience.\nThe Hoosiers are back in action next weekend at the Valparaiso (University) Tournament held Sept. 7-8 in Valparaiso, Ind. IU is scheduled to play Marshall, Western Michigan and host Valparaiso in the tournament.