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(12/09/09 6:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After two seasons as a member of the IU volleyball team and Academic All-Big Ten selection this year, Jessica Weeg has decided to call it a career.The sophomore outside hitter made the difficult decision after a season in which she appeared in just seven of 34 matches.“It was kind of time to be realistic,” she said. “At some point you just kind of have to decide what’s important to you and what makes you happy, and it’s playing that makes me happy. I wasn’t going to get that, so I figured I’d focus energy elsewhere.”Weeg recorded a total of six kills at a .417 hitting percentage in her appearances.Her most productive outing came Sept. 19 in a straight-set victory over North Carolina A&T in the T.I.S. College Bookstore IU Invitational, recording four kills on seven attempts as well as a block assist.A student in the IU School of Journalism, the Cincinnati native said a few playing opportunities were no longer worth missing out on studies and career planning.“I would love to do internships and all those kinds of things in the summer,” she said. “Those things aren’t really an option while you’re playing.”Weeg said she had informed IU coach Sherry Dunbar and her teammates of her decision and that despite initial surprise, they supported it.“The team took it really well,” she said. “They all know how hard I work, and they can see that I’m not really getting what I want.”Dunbar and other players were not available for comment.Weeg said while she had to make a tough choice to leave the team, she understands new avenues will open.“It’s always hard to close a chapter in your life,” she said. “Through all of high school, I was always ‘the volleyball girl,’ and now, sure, I still love it ... but that’s not who I am anymore. So I’ll have to find different ways to define myself. So it’ll be a search.”
(12/03/09 4:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Upon the close of the 2009 season, the IU volleyball team believes a bright future is on the horizon. “We played some really competitive volleyball against some of the best teams in the nation,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. Despite failing to reach their goal of making the NCAA Tournament, the Hoosiers (17-17, 6-14) accomplished a multitude of feats in Dunbar’s third year as head coach. Junior middle blocker Ashley Benson garnered All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year, a unanimous selection, while posting an IU-best .361 hitting percentage. Similarly, freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly was unanimously named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team while posting a record 446 kills to break the school single-season freshman record. Haverly earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Week distinction three times during her initial campaign as a Hoosier. “It’s been so much fun,” Haverly said of her freshman season. “I’ve had a great experience so far, and I’m just really excited for where the program is going and to be with my teammates and to see what next season brings. It was just a really good way to start off my career and a really great group of people to do it with.” Sophomore libero Caitlin Cox dug 488 hits to set a new single-season mark, only a year after she broke the same record specifically for freshmen. “It’s pretty cool to break both of those in consecutive years,” Cox said. “So now this gives me something to shoot for next year, to break my record this year.” In addition, Cox, fellow sophomores Mary Chaudoin and Jessica Weeg, graduate student and right-side hitter Whitney Thomas and junior middle blocker/right-side hitter Taylor Wittmer all earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. The Hoosiers began the season with excitement and promise. Benson was coming off a record-setting sophomore campaign, Cox was a returning Big Ten All-Freshman, and the team added former basketball player Whitney Thomas and Prep Volleyball’s No. 22-ranked recruiting class. IU appeared to be making headway toward an NCAA berth by starting 11-3 in non-conference play. The Hoosiers swept two tournaments, the season-opening Flo Hyman Invitational in Houston and the Hampton Inn Invitational in Athens, Ohio. The latter included two thrilling five-set IU victories against host Ohio and Missouri State. Cox earned MVP honors. However, the Big Ten season proved to be a different animal for the Hoosiers and their freshman-heavy squad. IU won two of its first three conference contests, including a dramatic five-set win against in-state rival Purdue in West Lafayette on Sept. 30. However, the Hoosiers’ only victory between then and mid-November came Oct. 16 in Assembly Hall as part of Hoosier Hysteria. During that stretch, the fifth set became somewhat of an Achilles heel for the team.IU fell short in four five-set matches, twice to Northwestern, as well as Wisconsin and No. 8 Illinois. Purdue got its revenge in Bloomington as well, downing IU in four sets in University Gym on Nov. 4. The Hoosiers finally snapped their seven-match skid at Michigan State on Nov. 13 before dropping another five-setter to No. 16 Michigan the next night. Honoring senior players Thomas and Kelsey Hall on Nov. 20, IU fell to Ohio State in four sets. The following night, the Hoosiers nearly claimed a set from two-time defending national champion Penn State for the first time since 2001 twice before losing in straight sets. Maintaining the desire to keep the program moving in the right direction, the team ended its season strong. The five-set battles in which the young squad struggled mightily throughout the season took a turn for the better against Wisconsin on Nov. 27. IU surged from a 12-10 deficit in the fifth set and won five straight points to defeat the Badgers and exorcise its five-set demons. Going out in dominant fashion the following night, the Hoosiers swept Iowa again, and Benson and Cox cemented their respective records. Dunbar said she was encouraged by the way her team ended the season. “This will give us some great motivation for the spring, to work really hard, to get stronger as a team, to get mentally tougher, to find a way to win,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of fun things coming up with a great spring and a foreign trip in May. I think this team gets along really well and I think they’re really motivated to keep this program moving forward.” As for the players, they said the potential for success has grown thanks to the work they’ve put in this season.“We still have that little bit to push to start beating Michigan consistently, and Illinois and Minnesota and teams like that, to get up in the top five of the Big Ten,” Cox said. “There’s a future now.”
(11/30/09 4:09am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team wanted to end its season on a high note.A weekend sweep, not to mention broken school records, accomplished that feat.The Hoosiers (17-17, 6-14) enter the offseason with a new single-season digs record-holder and career-hitting efficiency leader after beating Wisconsin in five sets Friday and sweeping Iowa on Saturday.“When those postseason hopes are gone, a lot of those teams just kind of tank,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “I think that’s when you can really show your true character. We’ve played some really good volleyball with some of the best teams in the nation.”The new records belong to sophomore libero Caitlin Cox, whose 488 digs set the new single-season mark at IU, and junior middle blocker Ashley Benson, whose career hitting efficiency of .361 is best all-time.“I kind of had an idea that I was close,” Cox said of the digs record. “But I wasn’t sure if I would make it this season or not. So now this gives me something to shoot for next year, to break my record this year.”The Hoosiers opened their final weekend in Madison, where they took revenge for a loss on Oct. 18 to the Badgers (11-18, 6-14) by winning a five-set affair by scores of 22-25, 25-21, 25-15, 23-25 and 15-12.Facing yet another decisive frame, IU wanted to prove it had made a turn for the better.Down 12-10, the Hoosiers won five consecutive points and continued to exercise their five-set demons.IU carried the momentum from the victory into its Saturday match in Iowa City, sweeping the Hawkeyes (13-20, 5-15) for the second time this season, winning 25-19, 25-13 and 25-20.Iowa led 4-3 in the opening set. They never had a lead again as Cox eclipsed the record of 481 single-season digs by Juli Pierce and the Hoosiers cruised to a .500 finish.Freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly, who led all Hoosiers with 41 total kills on the weekend, said these two games this weekend and her entire freshman season were enjoyable.“I’ve had a great experience so far,” she said. “It’s just a great way to start my career.”Despite missing out on the NCAA tournament this year, the team is excited for the future.“Hopefully we can turn a lot of these five-set losses that we had this year into some wins next year,” Dunbar said. “I think this team gets along really well, and I think they’re really motivated to keep this program moving forward.”Cox agreed about the direction of the team.“It kind of stinks because tonight, we just kind of realized it was over,” Cox said. “There’s a future now. These past three weekends are what IU volleyball is all about, and I think everyone who is returning understands that.”
(11/23/09 2:40am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team had not won a set against Penn State since November 2001.IU did not end that drought in its last home stand of the 2009 season, but came close – twice.The Hoosiers (15-17, 4-14) dropped a four-set loss to Ohio State (22-9, 10-8) on Friday and nearly took two sets away from No. 1 Penn State (30-0, 18-0) before falling in three on Saturday at University Gym.“I’m just happy we played well,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said after the match against the Nittany Lions. “I’m just happy we came out and competed really hard and that we had an opportunity to win a set.“I was very proud of the heart we displayed, and I think we gave the crowd a lot to cheer about tonight.”Penn State kept off the Hoosiers’ effort to extend its win streak to 94 matches, winning by scores of 25-22, 25-16 and 26-24.IU matched the two-time defending national champions in aggressive attacking with 44 kills, just one shy of Penn State’s total.The Hoosiers had late leads in the first and third sets and even had two set points in the third at 24-22. Both times, the Nittany Lions rallied back to win.“I wish we could’ve won those two sets,” said junior middle blocker Ashley Benson, who led IU with 11 kills. “But Penn State’s a really good team, and they can turn a switch on or turn it off as much as they want.”The previous night, IU honored senior hitter Kelsey Hall, graduate student Whitney Thomas and senior trainer Meghan Chambers on Senior Night before playing Ohio State.Hall led the Hoosiers against the Buckeyes with 13 kills, but the team wasn’t sharp in falling to Ohio State by scores of 25-16, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-22.Despite the loss on Senior Night, Hall said she was proud of her final pair of matches in University Gym.“It was a good memory to have,” Hall said. “It felt really good because I’m leaving a memory, and I want to go out strong.”
(11/20/09 4:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Senior volleyball player Kelsey Hall and graduate student Whitney Thomas said they will look back on their careers with plenty of fond memories.Their teammates hope to provide them with one more: a win in their Senior Night match against Ohio State at 7 p.m. Friday.The Hoosiers (15-15, 4-12) will honor Hall, Thomas and senior student trainer Meghan Chambers before their rematch with the Buckeyes (21-8, 9-7).IU will also play No. 1 Penn State (28-0, 16-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday.IU coach Sherry Dunbar said she felt privileged to coach both Hall and Thomas.“Kelsey is a true competitor,” Dunbar said. “Every time she steps on the court, you can see that love that she has for this sport. “And then Whitney, we’ve talked about her a ton. But we’re just happy that we could have her for the short time that we did, to have such a quality person in our program. Both of them have done a great job for us.”Hall, who transferred to IU from UCLA following her freshman year in 2005, said she has enjoyed the ride.“Working toward the same goal everyone has and just competing with the best teams there are in the country – I wouldn’t change any of that for the world,” Hall said.She also said she would like to get a win on Senior Night.“It would mean a lot, especially because Ohio State’s a pretty good team,” she said. “I think it would be extra special.”Thomas will be honored in the second Senior Night of her collegiate career. She played on the IU women’s basketball team for four years.She said the decision to take advantage of the NCAA rule allowing an extra year of eligibility to play a different sport was the right one.“I would do it again if I could,” Thomas said. “I’m really thankful that I had the opportunity.”
(11/18/09 3:18pm)
IU volleyball players and staffers talk about their international experiences and the differences in culture and play in other nations.
(11/16/09 2:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In a weekend of five-set affairs, the IU volleyball team experienced each possible end result, splitting its two away matches in Michigan.The Hoosiers (15-15, 4-12) snapped a seven-match losing streak by beating Michigan State (17-11, 5-11) in five sets Friday and lost to No. 14 Michigan (22-7, 10-6) in an equally lengthy contest Saturday.IU began its road trip with a much-needed victory in East Lansing. Three Hoosiers recorded double-doubles in the win by scores of 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 29-27 and 15-12.“It was a big confidence booster,” junior middle blocker Ashley Benson said. “It shows that we can still do it. We just have to have the right mindset and be sure that we stay in it and play hard.”Facing a Spartan match point at 27-26 in the fourth set, the Hoosiers rallied to win the frame and force a decisive contest.IU won five straight points from an 8-7 deficit to seal the match and end both their losing streak and fifth-set funk.“It meant a lot to come back and fight as a team like we did,” said sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin, who totaled 62 assists, 12 total blocks and four kills on the weekend.The following night, the Hoosiers traveled to Ann Arbor and nearly earned another five-set victory before falling to the No. 14 team in the nation.The Wolverines won the first two sets 25-23 and 25-14, prompting Benson to spark her teammates.“I told everyone (I wasn’t) leaving this place without going to a fifth game,” Benson said.Her teammates responded.Trailing 18-15 in the third set, IU won six straight points, courtesy of three consecutive service aces by sophomore libero Caitlin Cox. The Hoosiers stayed alive, winning 25-23.The Wolverines, however, held on to claim the win.The Hoosiers welcome No. 1 Penn State and Ohio State to Bloomington for their final home stand of the season this weekend.“We’ve just got to come out with that same fight,” Benson said. “If we keep playing like we have been ... we can come out with a win.”
(11/13/09 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With only six matches remaining in the season, IU coach Sherry Dunbar said her team has to decide what kind of stamp to place on 2009.“You get to this point where you’re kind of at a low ... and you’ve got to make a decision,” Dunbar said. “Either you’re going to give up, and you’re going to stay at the bottom, or you’re going to find a way as a team to fight through it and get out of it.”The Hoosiers (14-14, 3-11) aim to snap a seven-match skid with rematches against Michigan State at 6 p.m. Friday and No. 14 Michigan at 7 p.m. Saturday.Dunbar said IU needs to embrace the challenge of competing all season.“This is where your true character comes out,” she said. “Some good things can come of it if you take it as an enjoyable challenge, and you don’t take it as ‘Oh, woe is me’ and start feeling that way.”The Hoosiers make their first stop of the road trip in East Lansing, Mich., where the Spartans (16-10, 4-10) have earned all their Big Ten victories this season.IU won the Sept. 26 meeting in Bloomington in four sets, but a season sweep of Michigan State could be difficult, sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin said.“As we’ve learned, the Big Ten is the toughest conference in the nation, and every single night is a dogfight,” she said. “We’re just going to have to go out there, want it more than them and hopefully come out with the outcome that we want.”The following evening, the Hoosiers will meet the Wolverines (20-7, 8-6) for the second time. Michigan swept IU in Bloomington Sept. 25 and leads the Big Ten in service aces.Freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly said team unity is vital going forward.“I think it’s really important for us to just stay together as a team and stay positive,” Haverly said. “If we have that, anything is still possible.”
(11/09/09 3:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team suffered another disappointing loss Friday, falling to No. 12 Minnesota in straight sets for the second time this season.All-American middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer and the Golden Gophers (18-7, 9-4) made quick work of the Hoosiers (14-14, 3-11), winning by scores of 25-15, 25-13 and 25-15 in just over an hour.Minnesota previously swept IU in Bloomington on Oct. 4, winning 25-20, 25-19 and 26-24.Senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall shined in a losing effort, earning eight kills, five in the first set.However, IU could not stop Gibbemeyer, who led Minnesota in both kills and block assists with 12 and four, respectively.The Golden Gophers’ junior star dominated the match from the start of set one. She recorded two quick kills and a block assist to put IU in a 6-2 hole.Despite five kills by Hall in the frame, the Hoosiers had no answer for Minnesota’s efficient hitting and lost the opening set by 10 points.IU responded early in the second set, winning four straight points thanks to two aces by freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula to jump to an 8-4 lead.However, the Golden Gophers surged back following a timeout and controlled the rest of the way, allowing the Hoosiers no points until owning a 21-13 lead.Minnesota then won four straight points to close the set.The story remained the same in the third frame.The Golden Gophers opened an 8-3 advantage on Gibbemeyer’s net offense as well as her serving prowess as she posted an ace.Once again, Minnesota proved too much for IU to handle, claiming the set 25-15 and sealing the straight-set victory.The Hoosiers hit the road again this weekend with matches at Michigan State on Friday and No. 15 Michigan on Saturday.
(11/06/09 4:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team had little time to dwell on its disappointing home loss to Purdue on Wednesday. The Hoosiers (14-13, 3-10) turn right around for a road match at No. 12 Minnesota (17-7, 8-4) at 8 p.m. Friday.“They have a lot of balance and they play with a fire,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said of the Golden Gophers. “They make great plays. They make things look easy on their side of the net.”Minnesota downed IU in straight sets on their Oct. 4 visit to Bloomington. Dunbar praised the Golden Gophers’ athleticism and efficiency. “They have great athletes that can hit anywhere on the court,” Dunbar said. “They have a couple of All-Americans, and it’s hard to slow them down.”One of those All-Americans, junior middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer, recorded 13 kills at a team-best .435 hitting percentage in Minnesota’s first match against IU. She was a third-team selection for the honor.However, the Golden Gophers enter this contest with IU without their second-team All-American selection, junior outside hitter Brook Dieter, who recently left the team. Dieter earned 14 kills and three total blocks in the teams’ previous meeting. IU junior middle blocker Ashley Benson said the Hoosiers have improved at the net as they travel to Minneapolis and attempt to hold the Gophers’ offense in check. “Blocking is getting a lot better,” Benson said. Dunbar said in order to upset Minnesota, IU must maintain the level of intensity and focus that the Gophers exhibit each time they take the court. “When you play a team like that, you have to play great volleyball,” Dunbar said. “You really have to step up, and you really have to really start from point one and really have that fire to compete at that level.”
(11/05/09 4:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team took one from Purdue in West Lafayette on Sept. 30.Purdue got its revenge in University Gym Wednesday.The Boilermakers (12-12, 4-9) dominated the final three sets to defeat the Hoosiers (14-13, 3-10) and claim the Monon Spike in 2009.Purdue won by scores of 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 and 25-19.Purdue coach Dave Shondell called the win “one of the biggest wins we’ve had in the seven years I’ve been at Purdue.”“Considering that we’ve had a hard time getting wins this season and our mentality has been really damaged, it was a huge win,” Shondell said.IU has had almost an equally tough time winning matches, something coach Sherry Dunbar said takes its toll, rivalry game or no.“Every one of them is tough when you lose,” Dunbar said. “I don’t like to lose.”Perhaps the most astonishing statistic of the contest was the Boilermakers’ 17.5 total team blocks to the Hoosiers’ 6.0. Purdue middle blockers Kristen Arthurs and Anna Drewry each had eight block assists.Shondell said he had envisioned his team as capable of dominating the net to that degree.“At the beginning of the season, I thought we could be that kind of a team,” he said. “It was great. We outblocked them 17.5 to six, and IU’s a good blocking team, so that was a good win.”The eye-opening number for the Hoosiers was 12 service aces. Dunbar said she was pleased with IU’s serving and credited Purdue for figuring out how to receive down the stretch.“The biggest thing, I thought we served really aggressive, and I thought that helped us a lot,” Dunbar said. “I just thought they stepped up towards the end and started passing better.”The serving was apparent from the start. Freshman setter Whitney Granado opened the match with an ace, and the Hoosiers continued to dominate from the service line in the first set.Freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly posted two aces, and junior middle blocker Ashley Benson and freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula each added one.Benson, who totaled four aces on the evening, said improving her serving had been a high priority going into the match.“I’ve been working on making my serves tougher and more consistent,” Benson said. “I changed my serve up a little bit and it paid off today.”IU also controlled the net in the first frame with six block assists to the Boilermakers’ two, and three Hoosiers posted three kills each to win the set 25-20.Haverly and Matula continued to produce at the line in the match’s second contest, each recording another ace.However, attack errors plagued the Hoosiers in the second set as they committed eight to Purdue’s two.Outside hitter Ariel Turner paced the Boilermakers with four kills in the frame and Purdue held off a late IU surge to even the match at one set apiece.The two teams exchanged runs early in the third set before going back-and-forth through a 19-19 knot.Consecutive errors by Haverly and junior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer allowed the Boilermakers to open a 22-19 advantage, allowing them to seal the set 25-23.The Boilermakers took total control in the fourth set. The Hoosiers staged multiple-point comebacks thanks to Benson’s three aces, but Purdue built too strong a lead and sealed the big road victory.“Purdue is one of our rivals and, you know, we were hoping to come out with a win,” Benson said, “but they played their hearts out, we weren’t having a good game, and they ended up winning today. There’s nothing that you can say about it.”
(11/02/09 5:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The fifth set has been an Achilles’ heel for the IU volleyball team.Twice this weekend, the Hoosiers (14-12, 3-9) staged rallies to force decisive frames but fell short of victories against No. 6 Illinois (18-3, 10-2) and Northwestern (13-11, 4-8).IU is now 3-5 in five-set matches this season and 1-4 in the Big Ten.“We, as a team, are still just not finding those ways to win,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “We’re finding ways to stay in matches and to battle, but it’s one serve, it’s one pass, it’s one swing at the end of that that could end the match. It’s tough to stomach.”The first five-setter of the weekend was a near-upset of the No. 6 team in the nation Friday.After dropping the first two sets by scores of 18-25 and 17-25, the Hoosiers returned in the third frame with renewed vigor, jumping to an early 7-1 lead en route to a 25-13 victory.Despite an early 12-8 IU lead in the fourth set, Illinois rallied to tie the contest at 14-14. The teams exchanged points until IU freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly put the ball away on a line shot to win 28-26 and force a fifth frame.However, the Hoosiers couldn’t continue their momentum into the final set, committing errors and lining up illegally to fall into a 5-1 hole. Illinois held on to win 15-11 and sealed the match.“If we would have pulled that off, that would have been so big for us,” said sophomore libero Caitlin Cox, who had 17 digs and a kill. “It was a game that we should have won. That fifth set, we shouldn’t have come out so sluggish.”It was the same story Saturday against Northwestern, a team against which IU already lost in five sets Oct. 11 in Evanston.The Hoosiers won the first set but dropped the next two. An IU victory in the fourth frame forced another decisive contest, though this one went far beyond the 15-point mark.IU had seven match-point opportunities before a call that the Hoosiers deemed questionable gave match point to Northwestern. The Wildcats then finished the match, the final score being 24-22.IU plays host to Purdue at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Hoosiers’ lone five-set victory in Big Ten play came against the Boilermakers. Dunbar said to expect more of the same.“It’s going to be a battle,” Dunbar said. “We’re just really hoping that the kids come and that they’re ready to battle.”
(10/30/09 6:33pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar said she believes her team needs to raise its focus to a new level in the second half of conference play.“We have to find a way to win,” Dunbar said. “We’re pushing them harder, and they’ve got to start producing more if we want to turn things around. We can’t just do status quo of what we did the first round (of Big Ten play).”The Hoosiers (14-10, 3-7) start the final stretch with rematches at home against No. 6 Illinois (16-3, 8-2) at 7 p.m. Friday and Northwestern (11-11, 2-8) at 7 p.m. Saturday.Dunbar said having played each team once already helps with preparation in practice.“We’re focusing on some things we’re seeing in film and really trying to change that about us,” she said, “and then re-watching matches that we’ve already played against these common opponents ... and see what we didn’t do well and what we need to do well against them second round.”IU’s two opponents generate their offenses differently, with Illinois attacking mainly from the outside and Northwestern from the middle, Dunbar said.“They’re total opposite teams, and we have to be prepared to play both of them,” she said.The Fighting Illini have risen to No. 6 in the nation. Dunbar praised their hard work and discipline.“There’s a reason they’re sixth in the country,” she said.While the Wildcats have only won two Big Ten games, one came against the Hoosiers in a five-set affair on Oct. 11 in Evanston.Junior middle blocker Sabel Moffett earned 24 kills at a .463 hitting percentage in that contest.Dunbar said IU needs to perform consistently throughout the match to split the series with Northwestern.“We played good in two sets against Northwestern, and we played bad in three,” she said. “We’ve got to turn that around.”Dunbar said she also wants to get more players involved in the offense, including freshman hitter Shawn Hindman, who has missed time with injury.“It’s going well,” Hindman said of her progress. “It’s getting better every day, coming in the gym, working hard and trying to get better every day so I can help the team as much as I can.”
(10/29/09 3:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Freshman setter Whitney Granado has already started her routine prior to arriving at the gym for a match.“Before we even get here, I pick out my ribbon and my headband that I’m going to wear for the game,” Granado said.Once in the locker room, Granado’s routine becomes much like those of her teammates.“A couple of girls have handshakes,” she said. “I just put the iPod in and relax a bit.”Granado and several other players on the IU volleyball team participate in several ritual activities before their matches, both collectively and individually.“In the locker room beforehand, we all kind of have our own thing,” sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin said. “We determine individually what we need to do to be mentally and physically prepared.”A lot of the players seem to think a little music and review of the game plan gets that job done.“We’ll just sit there listening to our iPods, studying our scouting reports – just preparing ourselves mentally,” freshman middle blocker Samantha Thrower said.Things are no different for freshman hitter Shawn Hindman, who said she puts in her ear buds, reviews scouting reports and gets “in that focused zone.In addition to individual routines, the players also come together as a unit for a few rituals.“Before the game, we have a prayer,” Chaudoin said. “And then we cheer, you know, all that hoopla that you guys don’t see.”Some hoopla is visible to the fans, however.The starters toss IU T-shirts into the crowd during player introductions at home matches.During the final warm-ups before player introductions, the team concludes its drills with an attack by junior middle blocker Ashley Benson and huddles with a collective cheer.Benson said she also has a routine of her own, but with a fewer quirks.“Just sitting in my locker, looking over the scouting report and imagining what’s going to go on during the game,” she said of her pre-match rituals. “I don’t have anything really outlandish.”Chaudoin, though, likes to have fun among her teammates before matches.“I have handshakes with almost every girl on the team,” Chaudoin said. “I always have to do one of those.”The sophomore setter does several of those handshakes right before the start of a match or set.Her two most common exchanges are a jump and high-five with Benson and a choreographed routine with sophomore libero Caitlin Cox.Chaudoin added that handshakes with several players remain on the sidelines, so the novelty won’t wear off.“If we don’t do it the first time, we don’t do it at any other games,” she said with a smile. “If we don’t do a handshake the first game, we can’t (any other time) because it’s cliche.”
(10/23/09 2:25am)
The IU volleyball team is one of three teams tied for sixth in the Big Ten going into this weekend’s slated matches.
The Hoosiers (15-8, 3-5) could have tiebreakers over each of the other two after their road trip.
(10/19/09 4:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sporting pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the IU volleyball team presented its largest audience of the season a dominant win Friday on Branch McCracken Court.The Hoosiers (14-8, 3-5) kicked off the annual Hoosier Hysteria festivities in Assembly Hall with a straight-set victory against Iowa (10-10, 2-6).IU blanked the Hawkeyes by scores of 25-23, 25-14 and 25-18.“I don’t think we played great volleyball, but we played good enough to win,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said.After outlasting Iowa in a close first set, the Hoosiers cruised in the final two contests to record the second Big Ten sweep of Dunbar’s tenure at IU. The first also came against Iowa on Nov. 10, 2007.“It’s very hard to beat Big Ten teams in three sets – especially teams like Iowa, because they don’t give up,” Dunbar said. “For us to handle them and do a good job against them, I was really proud of that composure.”The Hoosiers dominated from the service line, registering eight aces. Freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula posted four of them in the first two sets.Dunbar attributed Matula’s serving to hard work outside of team practice.“The reason she’s doing that is because of how much she practices,” Dunbar said. “She comes in extra, she comes in early for practice, stays late. She wants to be a great server, and she knows what an impact that can make in our program.”Matula said she expects to perform at that level every match.“I felt like that’s what I should be doing,” Matula said of her four aces. “I expect myself to be at a higher level.”Matula added that she enjoyed being part of Hoosier Hysteria.“I love it when people get involved,” she said. “The more people, the better. They see how hard we work, how hard we fight, so maybe the next time we play at (University Gym), they’ll come see us.”Freshman right-side hitter Kelci Marschall, who contributed nine kills for IU, felt the same way about her first Hoosier Hysteria match.“It’s awesome,” Marschall said. “It’s a great atmosphere in here with all the fans and everyone here to watch volleyball and watch the basketball teams. It’s just a great experience.”IU falls to Wisconsin in five setsThe Hoosiers returned to University Gym on Sunday and lost a five-set marathon to Wisconsin.The Badgers outlasted IU, winning by scores of 25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 17-25 and 15-11.“Our stats are not bad stats,” Dunbar said. “It’s just making errors at the wrong times and doing things like that.”Wisconsin freshman hitter Kirby Toon powered the Badgers in all areas, killing 12 balls, recording three aces and posting 3 total blocks.Errors plagued both teams as they traded sets before going to a decisive fifth frame. IU committed 23 attack errors, 11 service errors and 2 block errors. Wisconsin recorded 30 attack errors but had only 2 in the other frames.The final set remained close through a 9-9 score before the Badgers won three consecutive points. The Hoosiers charged back with two more points, but Wisconsin went on to seal the victory at 15-11.Dunbar said the team needs to play more solid volleyball.“I just think, consistently, we’ve got to fight harder,” Dunbar said. “It’s too up-and-down. We’ve got to find people who want to do that on a consistent basis, and I think that starts in practice.”
(10/16/09 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Following a 3-0 road win against Notre Dame, the No. 23 IU men’s soccer team looks to carry its momentum back into the conference schedule.The Hoosiers (7-4-1, 2-0-0) play defending Big Ten champion Michigan State (6-4-1, 0-3-0) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.“I liked the way we defended throughout the game against Notre Dame,” IU coach Mike Freitag said. “Notre Dame has had a couple of games this year against good opponents. They can score goals, and we really didn’t give them a sniff.”Freitag said the victory at Notre Dame showed IU’s growth as a team.“It’s taken us a while to settle in with personnel and system this season,” Freitag said. “I’m feeling pretty confident that the guys now feel comfortable with the system we’re playing in and also with the players that are on the field – the chemistry’s coming together.”Forward sophomore Will Bruin and junior midfielder Andy Adlard have paced the Hoosiers offensively this season with six and four goals, respectively, but senior forward Darren Yeagle shined against Notre Dame, notching his second goal of 2009 and three shots-on-goal.Freitag pointed to Yeagle as another player upon which the team can depend regularly.“Darren’s played outstanding,” Freitag said. “He got a goal against Notre Dame, but he’s just been a threat every time he gets the ball. He’s been making good things happen for us, offensively.”The Spartans have endured a rocky start to their conference title defense. Last in the Big Ten following a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin, Michigan State faces a crucial contest when the team comes to Bloomington on Sunday.The Spartans have excelled defensively in 2009, allowing the fewest goals of any team in the Big Ten with seven. They also trail only No. 24 Penn State in shutouts.Freitag said his team should expect nothing short of a strong effort from the defending conference champions.“They’re coming in as the wounded Spartans,” Freitag said. “They’re not happy with their results up to now. I’m sure they’re looking for their first Big Ten win of the season, and being the defending Big Ten champs, they know what it’s all about. And they’re going to come pumped up, and looking for their win.“We just have to be good and focused like we were at Notre Dame. That’s how you’ve got to come out in every game. There are no easy games in college soccer anymore.”
(10/16/09 3:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Thousands of Hoosier fans fill the seats of Assembly Hall one night in October each year, ecstatic to see basketball – even if it’s only a practice. Since 2007, the basketball-crazed IU fans have enjoyed another twist to Hoosier Hysteria – an actual volleyball match. The IU volleyball team continues the three-year-old tradition of opening the annual event when it plays its only scheduled match at 5:30 p.m. in Assembly Hall on Friday against Iowa. IU volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar, whose first year was also 2007, said the team’s involvement in Hoosier Hysteria goes a long way to earn recognition for IU volleyball. “What the basketball teams have done here and the tradition of excellence and national championships, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase volleyball in the Big Ten,” Dunbar said. “And to showcase it to fans that might not have seen this level of volleyball, and hopefully, to get those fans to come over here and watch us at U. Gym.”Dunbar said the experience of playing in Assembly Hall in front of a capacity crowd is thrilling and an advantage in terms of the match. “To have 9,000 or 10,000 fans that are Indiana fans cheering for you – huge advantage,” she said. The players enjoy participating in Hoosier Hysteria as well. Senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall, who has been with the team since it began playing at the event, said the feeling it brings never gets old. “I think it gets bigger and better every year,” Hall said. “Most people never even get to say that they get to step in Assembly Hall. It’s such a historic place, and it’s really something special that you get to go in there and play in front of so many people, and so many people that love sports here.” Hall began her collegiate career at UCLA, another university rich in basketball tradition. However, she said the volleyball program there was not involved in a similar way and that the sports festivities IU conducts are unique. “I think it’s something special and something new,” Hall said. “I think a lot of other schools want to follow what we’re doing, and what I think is cool is that they play the women’s basketball after us, and the men’s, so it’s just like a whole day of sports, which is so cool.” Junior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer, who has also participated in each of the volleyball matches in Hoosier Hysteria, agreed. “For the volleyball program to get that opportunity is huge,” Wittmer said. “I think to have all those fans to watch us who normally wouldn’t come out to our games is great because I think if we show that fight and that heart, they’re going to want to come back and watch us every time.” Wittmer, a Loogootee, Ind., native, said Hoosier Hysteria also has carried a greater significance for her. “I used to come when I was in high school,” she said. “I remember sitting up in the stands and thinking, ‘Wow, this is such a cool place.’ And being from Indiana, I’ll always be a Hoosier, so it means a lot.” The tradition has also become a staple for graduate student and right-side hitter Whitney Thomas, albeit in a different fashion. Thomas participated as a four-year member of the IU women’s basketball team. Now playing volleyball, she said she expects an entirely different feeling this year. “I’m used to getting ready to go out and do some drills and stuff at night for Hoosier Hysteria and getting ready for the season,” Thomas said. “But, now, we have a tough game coming up in front of us, and we’re going to be really focused on that.”Thomas said she is also looking forward to seeing how her old team looks after the volleyball match. “I’ve been anxious to see how they’re going to be and see what they’re going to do this year,” she said. In addition to the players who have been involved in Hoosier Hysteria, the team’s seven freshmen will experience it for the first time Friday. One of them, defensive specialist Laura Matula, said she is “so pumped” to play in front of such a large crowd. “It makes the game, it really does,” Matula said. “It just pumps you up even more and makes the win even sweeter. It’s a good way to pull fans in.“This is as real as it gets.”
(10/12/09 3:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team suffered two losses on its road trip through Illinois this weekend.The Hoosiers (13-7, 2-4) fell to Illinois in straight sets Saturday and then dropped a five-setter to Northwestern (11-7, 2-4) Sunday.“We’ve just got to do better,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “Any given night a team can win, and we’ve got to be ready.”The Hoosiers dropped the first contest of their two-match trip, falling to Illinois in straight sets.The Illini jumped out to an early lead in the first set, capitalizing on junior outside hitter Laura DeBruler’s four kills and winning 25-20. DeBruler recorded 12 total kills on the night at a .407 clip and also posted 14 digs and two block assists.IU battled early in the second frame and even led 8-5 as freshman setter Whitney Granado recorded a service ace. However, Illinois opened enough of a cushion late to win the set 25-21.The teams went back-and-forth in the third, and neither trailed by more than three. An ace gave Illinois match point at 24-21, and they held on to seal the victory.The Hoosiers followed the loss at Illinois with a five-set loss at Northwestern.After Northwestern won the first five points of the initial set, IU surged to even the match at 7-7 and didn’t look back, cruising to a 25-17 win.The second frame remained close with IU in control until Northwestern junior middle blocker Sabel Moffett accounted for four straight points to give the Wildcats a 14-13 lead. The Wildcats held onto that lead and won 25-20.Northwestern took late control of what had been a tight third set by winning three straight points from 16-16. The Wildcats held on and claimed the set 25-20.The Hoosiers responded in the fourth, winning eight straight points after trailing 10-13 with Benson posting three service aces in four points. That run propelled IU to a 25-16 victory and forced a decisive fifth frame.The two teams went back and forth on scoring runs in the final set. Kills by Haverly and junior outside hitter Taylor Wittmer, as well as an ace by freshman defensive specialist Laura Matula, tied the set at 13-13, but Northwestern won two straight to close the match.IU’s next match will kick off the annual Hoosier Hysteria. The Hoosiers battle Iowa (10-8, 2-4) at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Assembly Hall.“We’ve got to work harder in practice,” Dunbar said.
(10/08/09 10:33pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU volleyball team heads on its next road trip with votes for the American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25 poll for the first time in Sherry Dunbar’s tenure as head coach.The Hoosiers (13-5, 2-2) hope to crack the top-25 as they travel for a pair of road matches against No. 12 Illinois (10-3, 2-2) at 8 p.m. Saturday and Northwestern (9-7, 0-4) at 6 p.m. Sunday.“We’ve been working really hard and we deserve to be in the top-25,” sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin said. “I think we’ve made an impact in the rankings with beating ranked teams, and I think we’re going to continue to do so.”Dunbar agreed, saying that receiving that honor in such a competitive conference is a huge step for the program.“It’s all about recognition,” Dunbar said. “That’s the first time we’ve received votes certainly since I’ve been here.”A jump into the top-25 could happen with a victory over the Fighting Illini. However, the Hoosiers know that feat won’t be easy in Illinois’ home atmosphere.“Illinois has a great crowd, a great home-court advantage,” Dunbar said.IU has already won a match in a hostile environment at Purdue Sept. 30, something Chaudoin said has the team ready for the Illini crowd.“Their fans are pretty smart-aleck,” Chaudoin said, “but I think we’ve played in the toughest environment so far with Purdue, so I think we’ve seen the worst.”After their match at Illinois, the Hoosiers travel to Evanston, Ill., for a Sunday evening contest at Northwestern.Freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly, who earned her second Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor Monday for her efforts against Purdue and No. 5 Minnesota, said IU can’t expect to cruise against the Wildcats.“They’ve been getting a lot better and have been trying to improve their program,” Haverly said. “It should be a good match for us.”Haverly, an Illinois native, said she is looking forward to playing two matches in her home state and hopes both result in wins. “I’m really excited to be able to go back and play in Illinois and just have people from home be able to come see me,” Haverly said, “but I’m just excited to play and just win, hopefully.”