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(01/10/06 5:57am)
While Monday's game against No. 15 Minnesota will go down in the books as a loss, two IU players will go into the record books for personal achievements.\nWith 2:11 remaining in the second half, senior forward Jenny DeMuth stepped to the free throw line. With the Hoosiers down by six, DeMuth sunk both shots, breaking IU all-time career free throw record of 443.\nThe record was previously held by Denise Jackson, IU's all-time leading scorer with 1,917 points.\nDeMuth entered Monday's action needing to hit seven free throws to tie the record and eight to break it. On the night, the senior sunk all ten of her free throw attempts in leading the Hoosiers with 18 points.\nFellow senior Cyndi Valentin joined DeMuth in the record books in a similar fashion Monday night -- at the free throw line.\nEntering the game against Minnesota, Valentin had made 56 consecutive free throws dating back to a Nov. 26 game against Bowling Green. The senior needed four more to tie the Division I mark set by Richmond University's Ginny Doyle during the 1991-92 season.\nAt the 5:38 mark in the second half, Valentin drove the lane and was fouled, sending her to the line for two shots. She calmly nailed both of them, tying Doyle's record. Valentin received an ovation from the crowd as the game continued.\nThis is not the first time Valentin has reeled off a streak of consecutive free throws. As a freshman, she made 25 straight in a span of 13 games. During the span of two seasons, Valentin sunk 48 consecutive free throws between Jan. 2 and Nov. 27, 2004.\nThe senior captain totaled 13 points and three steals before fouling out in the game's final moments.\n"It's a great statistic for both of those young ladies," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "I was really proud of them individually. Jenny really recovered from the Purdue game with her free throw shooting. I take my hats off to them, but they're more worried about winning than their records."\nIn last week's loss to Purdue, DeMuth -- a 75 percent free throw shooter -- hit only three of nine attempts from the charity stripe.\nBoth players will have a chance to extend their records this Thursday when the Hoosiers visit the Ohio State Buckeyes.\nPlayers were unavailable to speak to the media after the game Monday.
(12/09/05 6:05am)
The IU women's basketball team will try to retain some home court advantage when it takes on Boston University Saturday at the RCA Dome.\nIU is coming off a 3-1 road trip in which the Hoosiers most recently defeated Eastern Michigan 70-64 Wednesday night.\nAgainst the Eagles, IU jumped out to an early first half lead that never faltered, although Eastern Michigan made several comeback attempts. The Hoosiers allowed the Eagles to get as close as three points but held on for the win.\n"Since we were struggling from the field, I told the team that we had to get to the free throw line by continuing to attack the basket," IU coach Sharon Versyp said in a statement. "Our free-throw percentage was huge for us down the stretch when the offense was struggling to hit a field goal."\nThroughout the night, IU shot 21-for-26 from the charity stripe, including a 14-for-15 performance from senior forward Jenny DeMuth. \nDeMuth led the Hoosiers with 24 points, a season-high for the senior. Sophomore guard Nikki Smith provided some long-range help with five 3-pointers and a career-high 17 points.\nAfter their strong showing on the road, the Hoosiers are happy to return to Indianapolis for Saturday's game against Boston.\n"It's always hard to travel and keep up with studies," senior guard Cyndi Valentin said. "It will be great to play at home and have our own fans cheering for us instead of the other way around."\nValentin leads the Hoosiers with averages of 17.1 points and 3.8 assists per game.\nComing off Wednesday's victory, IU remains focused on playing well on a game-to-game basis.\n"We're looking forward to (Saturday's game)," senior forward Angela Hawkins said. "We still need to work on defense and learn each other's roles on the team."\nWith momentum on their side, the Hoosiers will play a Terriers team that is 5-1 on the season and riding a four-game win streak.\nBoston features a balanced scoring attack with six players averaging seven points or more.\nThe game is scheduled to tip off 45 minutes after the completion of the men's game at the RCA Dome.\nSaturday the Hoosiers will be without freshman guard Tara Miller, who is leaving the team for personal reasons.\n"We respect Tara's wishes," Versyp said in a statement. "She is a player who has potential, and we wish her the best of the luck in the future."\nMiller played in one game this season, scoring two points with an assist in three minutes of action against Youngstown State. She will finish the semester at IU before pursuing other opportunities.
(12/07/05 5:10am)
Coming off a tough road loss at Louisville, the IU women's basketball team (3-4) will wrap up its four-game road trip tonight versus Eastern Michigan University.\nOn Sunday, against the Cardinals, the Hoosiers played a back-and-forth game, losing 72-67. With 2:10 remaining in the game, IU faced its largest deficit of the day with Louisville up 66-51.\nThe Hoosiers refused to give in, hitting their final four 3-point attempts, including one by senior forward Jenny DeMuth at the buzzer, but time ran out on IU. The loss was the first road defeat of the season.\n"There is no excuse for losing," senior guard Cyndi Valentin said. "We had a couple of mental lapses in the second half that cost us. If you don't have the ball, you can't score."\nValentin led IU in the loss with a season-high 26 points as she played all 40 minutes. Showing off her all-around game, Valentin also had seven assists, five rebounds and three steals.\nAlthough the loss was tough for her team to swallow, IU coach Sharon Versyp was pleased with what she got out of the Hoosiers.\n"(The comeback) was awesome," Versyp said. "I was very pleased with the effort. If we were a little more fresh, it might have been a different result."\nIn the loss, Valentin received some much-needed offensive support from DeMuth, who turned in 19 points and 13 rebounds. Sunday's loss was the second double-double from DeMuth after a 13-point and 14-rebound performance in Friday's win against Southern Illinois.\n"It helps tremendously to have Jenny," Valentin said. "She draws defenses and can kick the ball out. Jenny brings a whole new dimension to the team."\nTonight's contest will be the last of the current four-game road trip that has seen the Hoosiers go 2-1 through three games.\n"This road trip prepares us for different things," senior forward Angela Hawkins said. "We've grown together as a team and are learning to play together."\nTonight's contest will be against an Eastern Michigan team that is in the midst of a three-game losing streak. After winning their first two games of the year, the Eagles have lost three straight by an average of 14 points.\nThe Eagles are led by junior forward Sarah VanMetre with 13 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Senior forward Nikki Knapp is the team's second leading scorer with 10.2 points per game.\nVersyp and the Hoosiers will not be sad to see this early season road trip in the rearview mirror.\n"We really have five straight games on the road (Saturday's game is in Indianapolis)," Versyp said. "We want to get back to practice. We are getting better in game situations."\nTonight's tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Eastern Michigan.
(12/02/05 2:26pm)
After claiming its first win of the season away from Assembly Hall Tuesday, the IU women's basketball team (2-3) will play two more road games this weekend versus Southern Illinois and Louisville.\nOn Tuesday night, the Hoosiers claimed their first road victory of the season at Belmont, winning 68-50. IU showed off a balanced scoring attack against the Bruins with four players in double-digits, led by senior guard Cyndi Valentin's 18 points.\nWhere IU really shined versus Belmont was on the defensive side. The Bruins shot 25.8 percent for the game and were just 8-of-36 from three-point range.\nBelmont freshman forward Alysha Clark came into the game averaging 31 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, but she was limited to seven shot attempts and finished with eight points and 10 rebounds.\nTonight's game versus Southern Illinois will be the second contest in IU's four-game road trip. The Hoosiers know how tough it is to win on the road.\n"It's always difficult playing on the road," sophomore guard Nikki Smith said. "It is definitely a better atmosphere here at IU."\nSmith had 15 points against Belmont, all of them coming from three-pointers.\nFriday and Sunday's games will be the sixth and seventh contests in the last two weeks for the Hoosiers. At this early point in the season, IU coach Sharon Versyp is concerned about fatigue taking its toll on her team.\n"We're already exhausted," Versyp said. "Our scheduling has been really tough on us."\nTuesday's road victory gave Versyp her 100th career coaching win at the collegiate level.\nComing off a win, the Hoosiers are not going to let fatigue or playing on the road slow them down.\n"Every opponent is just the same to us," junior forward Carrie Smith said. "Coach puts us through three hour practices on purpose so we're prepared for big road trips like this."\nSmith pulled down seven rebounds, all defensive, in the win against Belmont.\nThis weekend, IU will take on two 3-1 teams in Southern Illinois and Louisville. Both teams are coming off a loss.\nThe Hoosiers lead the all-time series with the Salukis of Southern Illinois, 10-3, although the teams have not played since 1989, a 58-44 IU victory.\nThe Cardinals feature a balanced scoring attack led by juniors Jazz Covington and Missy Taylor, who both average 11.5 points per game.\nIn the game last December between the two schools, IU won a close contest 61-57 behind 16 points from Valentin.\nTo be successful this weekend, the Hoosiers know they have to come out strong for 40 minutes.\n"When we see that we're getting close, we have to keep pulling together and working as a team instead of falling apart," Nikki Smith said. "As soon as it starts getting tough, we have to get together and make a run and make sure they don't keep scoring"
(11/29/05 10:40pm)
After suffering a tough loss in the Hampton Inn Classic championship game this weekend, the IU women's basketball team will play Belmont University at 7 p.m. tonight in Nashville, Tenn.\nIn the championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic, IU lost to Bowling Green, 68-50.\nSenior co-captains Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth led the way in the loss with 21 and 18 points, respectively. The other eight Hoosiers who saw the court scored only 11 points on 5-of-25 shooting.\n"We need other players to step up," said IU coach Sharon Versyp. "We need four to five players in double figures. You can't win with just one player shooting well."\nVersyp and the Hoosiers are confident that the supporting cast will provide more offensive support for Valentin and DeMuth tonight.\n"Every game Cyndi and Jenny always put forth good efforts," said junior forward Carrie Smith. "Sometimes it is Angie Hawkins (stepping up), sometimes it's Whitney (Thomas) or someone off the bench."\nOne change Versyp made this weekend involved her backcourt, with senior guard Kali Kullberg starting in place of sophomore guard Nikki Smith.\nSmith had started the first two games of the year against Baylor and Notre Dame but found herself sitting on the bench in the tourney opener versus Youngstown State -- a 74-38 IU win.\n"It doesn't matter whether I'm starting or coming off the bench as long as I can contribute and help my team out," Smith said.\nThe victory against Youngstown State gave Versyp her 99th career coaching victory heading into tonight's match, but she remains unfazed by personal accolades.\n"It's not about me," Versyp said. "If and when I get (the 100th win), it is more about the players that have made it successful for me as a coach. I didn't even know about it until the media brought it up."\nTo get her 100th career win, Versyp and the Hoosiers will have to take down a high-scoring Belmont squad.\nIn three games -- all wins -- the Bruins are averaging 82 points per game with three players scoring in double figures, led by freshman forward Alysha Clark. The 5-foot-10-inch forward is averaging 31 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game.\nOne thing the Hoosiers must be careful of against Belmont is a second half letdown. In each of the team's three losses, IU was within four points at halftime, yet it lost all three by at least 12 points.\nThe Bruins are just the opposite. In their first three games, they have outscored their opponents 134-83 in the second half. To get the road victory, Versyp knows the Hoosiers have to come out strong after halftime.\n"We have to step up and make some shots," Versyp said. "Once you build confidence and have success doing things, it comes easier"
(11/18/05 3:56pm)
To start the season, Big Ten women's basketball teams like No. 10 Michigan State welcomes University of California-Santa Barbara and Western Carolina University. Illinois faces Loyola University Chicago. And Northwestern prepares for Creighton University. \nMeanwhile, the Hoosiers have the privilege of playing defending national champions Baylor to start their season.\nIU will tip off the 2005 regular season against the Lady Bears at 6 p.m. Saturday in Assembly Hall.\n"Baylor is a tough team," senior guard Cyndi Valentin said. "We know it is going to be a tough game, but we're ready for it."\nLast season, the Lady Bears ran away with the national title in Indianapolis, defeating Michigan State, 84-62. Baylor comes to town with a No. 6 ranking in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.\nWhile Saturday will be the regular season opener for IU, Baylor will have already played two games. In last weekend's Tip-Off Classic, the Lady Bears came back from an 18-point second half deficit to defeat No. 8 Georgia, 84-72.\nBaylor will come to IU on short rest as it plays UCLA tonight in Waco, Texas, meaning it will not get into Bloomington until early Saturday morning.\nTired or not, Baylor's powerful offense will test IU's perimeter and post defense.\n"They've got two post players who can flat out score any time they touch the ball," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "We've got to pack the middle and make them shoot from the outside. If they're going to beat us, it is going to be from the outside."\nThe two players Versyp and the Hoosiers have to worry about are All-American senior forward Sophia Young and redshirt junior Abiola Wabara. Young averaged 18.4 points and 9.3 rebounds last season.\n"Sophia Young is easily one of the top five players in the country," Versyp said. "She's going to score her points. You may limit her one half, but then she'll come alive in the second half."\nLast season, IU traveled to Waco to play Baylor, losing 60-47, but the Hoosiers limited the Lady Bears to just 29 percent shooting from the floor.\nThe Hoosiers believe last year's game will help them this weekend since they know they can hang with the defending national champions.\n"We have more of a focus this year," junior guard Annika Boyd said. "Before we didn't know what to expect, but now we know all the details we need to know."\nWith the whole season ahead of them, the Hoosiers are treating this game like any other, Versyp said. The new coach hopes to earn her first victory at IU and is eager to start her career with the Hoosiers.\n"I'm very excited about this first game, but I won't approach it differently than any other game," Versyp said. "Starting off the season and my career here does have a different flavor, and I want to be extremely competitive when we step out on the floor"
(11/14/05 5:39am)
The IU women's basketball team did something Saturday night it has not done in three years when it eclipsed the century mark in a 114-45 victory against Brescia University.\nDuring their final exhibition game, the Hoosiers controlled the tempo from the tip-off and never looked back.\nSenior guard and team captain Cyndi Valentin started the offensive onslaught with a three-pointer in the game's first minute -- one of four during the night for the senior.\nThe Hoosiers unleashed a full-court man-to-man press that baffled the Lady Bearcats and led to 32 turnovers for the game.\n"We played full-court man-to-man, which the players haven't done much of, so I was really pleased with the first half," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "The second half we played some zone, and obviously we need some work with that. Overall, I was about 75 percent pleased with our defense."\nIU began to pull away as the offense continued clicking, and the defense shut down Brescia shooters, holding them to just 5 of 17 shooting in the first half.\nWith Valentin controlling the wing, senior forward Angela Hawkins held down the middle for the Hoosiers. She scored six straight points during the first half to add to IU's lead.\nDuring the night, Hawkins posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds -- nine of them offensive -- taking advantage of Brescia's lack of height in the frontcourt.\n"There were a couple things I was trying to work on," Hawkins said. "But I was definitely trying to take advantage of the height advantage."\nThe cream and crimson ended the first half with a 66-24 lead.\nIU didn't slow down in the second half. The Hoosiers switched to a zone defense to disrupt the Brescia shooters.\nThe plan worked as the Lady Bearcats continued to struggle from the field, shooting 15 of 48 overall for a 31 percent shooting percentage.\nIU's offense kept up as well, drawing ever closer to the century mark with only a few minutes remaining. Valentin put the team over the top with her fourth 3-pointer of the night.\nThe scoring did not stop there as sophomore guard Nikki Smith hit three long-range bombs in the final five minutes. With Brescia going cold, IU went on to the 114-45 victory.\nIn the win, all five IU starters scored in double digits, led by Valentin's 27 on 8 of 12 shooting. Valentin expects the Hoosiers to have a team full of players who all have the ability to score.\n"We were trying to run in transition and get some easy buckets," Valentin said. "People were finishing well and moving the ball, so we're definitely looking for a balanced scoring attack"
(11/11/05 5:03am)
With its game against reigning national champion Baylor University looming on the horizon, the IU women's basketball team will play its second exhibition game Saturday against Brescia University.\nThe Hoosiers are coming off a close 70-63 victory in their first exhibition game of the season versus the Hoosier Lady Stars last Nov. 3. Freshman forward Whitney Thomas led the team with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win. \nSenior guard Cyndi Valentin and junior guard Annika Boyd also chipped in with double-digit scoring efforts of their own with 14 and 12 points, respectively.\nIn her first game as coach of the Hoosiers, Sharon Versyp was pleased with how her team performed.\n"We did some good things but other things not so well," Versyp said. "I was pleased with our free throw attempts and our offensive rebounding, which had been one of our weaknesses."\nIU attempted 34 free throws, making 24, and pulled down 16 offensive rebounds compared to nine for the Lady Stars.\nWith its first victory behind it, IU has been preparing for Brescia, an independent team in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. \nThe Bearcats struggled last season, compiling an 8-23 overall record. This year's team also lost three of its top five scorers from last season.\nWith the weekend's game being the last chance to warm up before the regular season begins, IU has gone back to the basics.\n"We're just trying to get better and keep improving," freshman forward Kimberly Roberson said. "We're working on improving all the facets of our game."\nWhile Versyp was happy with her team's performance last week, she knows there is room for improvement.\n"We need to limit turnovers and make better decisions," she said. "We have to be solid on defense and continue to be a threat on offense. That is something that is going to take some time."\nAgainst the Lady Stars, the Hoosiers committed 21 turnovers while shooting 20-54 from the field.\nThe Hoosiers said they aren't looking past the Bearcats to next weekend's regular season opener against Baylor in Assembly Hall. Last season, IU lost to the Lady Bears at Baylor in their season opener, 60-47.\nThe Hoosiers realize they have to remain focused if they want to win Saturday's contest with Brescia.\n"You can't look past tomorrow," senior guard Kali Kullberg said. "Every day is its own challenge. We're preparing for this weekend. At the same time, we can gear toward what we might have to prepare for next weekend versus Baylor."\nTip-off will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Assembly Hall.
(11/04/05 5:17am)
The Sharon Versyp era started on a positive note Thursday night as the Hoosiers won their exhibition opener against the Hoosier Lady Stars, 70-63.\n"For the team, tonight was a whole new experience," Versyp said. "We did some good things, but other things not so well."\nIU got off to a slow start against the Lady Stars, falling behind 5-0. The Hoosiers scored their first points of the game on a free throw by senior Jenny DeMuth, who redshirted last season with a knee injury.\nBehind senior guard and team captain Cyndi Valentin, the Hoosiers charged back into the game. Valentin scored seven straight points early in the first half to give IU its first lead of the game.\nAs the team captain, Valentin knows she has to take a leadership role. \n"I've been playing for three years," Valentin said. "With coach and her system, we're still learning game situations."\nValentin finished the game with 14 points and a team-leading three assists.\nThe two teams exchanged baskets throughout the half until the Lady Stars slowly pulled away in the closing minutes of the half.\nWith IU down 26-21, freshman forward Whitney Thomas dominated the post, scoring seven points and grabbing several offensive rebounds. Behind Thomas' inside dominance, the Hoosiers tied the game 30-30 at the half.\nAfter halftime, IU came out strong, going on a 7-0 run behind some long-distance shooting from sophomore guard Nikki Smith and a runner in the lane from Valentin.\n"I told them (the team) to work harder," Versyp said. "We have to get out of the gate a little harder."\nThe Lady Stars never let the Hoosiers get to far ahead, always staying within striking distance throughout the second half.\nAfter another Lady Stars run brought IU's lead down to a single point at 58-57, Thomas scored yet another inside basket and was fouled on the play. After sinking the free throw, the Hoosiers led 60-57 and held on for the victory as the long-range shooting from the Lady Stars went cold. \nOn the night, Thomas dominated the Lady Stars in helping lead the Hoosiers to victory. In her first game for the Hoosiers, she notched her first collegiate double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, six of them offensive.\n"Like everyone else, it was our first game, and I was a little nervous," Thomas said. "But I got the ball from my teammates, and I couldn't have done it without them."\nWith their first exhibition victory behind them and one more on the schedule, Versyp admits the Hoosiers still have a lot of work to do.\n"We blew up a bit," Versyp said. "But you have to make mistakes to learn from them. You have to hit your outside shots, or you're not going to score a lot of points"
(11/03/05 4:22am)
With Hoosier Hysteria now passed and three weeks of practice under its belt, the IU women's basketball team will take the court for the first time this season tonight as the Hoosier Lady Stars come to town for an exhibition matchup.\nThe Hoosiers have plenty of story lines for the upcoming season, but the one that might have the most impact is the arrival of new coach Sharon Versyp.\nVersyp was hired in April after former coach Kathi Bennett resigned at the end of last season. Versyp spent the last five years at the University of Maine where she compiled a 98-51 record. \n"Maine was a very special place for me for five years," Versyp said. "But when you are presented with an opportunity to better yourself, you take it."\nVersyp arrives at IU after leading the Black Bears to three straight America East regular season championships dating back to 2003, including a berth in the 2004 NCAA tournament.\nA key this season for the Hoosiers will be how well the team responds to the new system being instituted by Versyp and her coaching staff.\n"Coach brought in a whole new system," said junior guard Leah Enterline. "We are putting in a lot more motion offense. We're really excited, and we have most of the team back." \nVersyp's transition might be made easier because the Hoosiers return 10 letter winners from last season. This Hoosier team is full of veterans that have been through the grind of the preseason schedule and playing in the Big Ten.\n"We have a strong team coming back," Enterline said. "We just have to be able to work through and learn the new system." \nAnother key storyline for IU will be the return of fifth-year senior Jenny DeMuth, who redshirted last season because of a knee injury. Tonight's exhibition game will be the first opportunity for Hoosier fans to see DeMuth in more than a year.\nDuring her rehab, DeMuth actually tore the anterior cruciate ligament of her left knee a second time, causing the forward to consider not coming back at all. \n"The second time I tore it (not coming back) definitely crossed my mind," DeMuth said. "I went in and talked to coach Versyp, and I just made the decision that I don't want to end my career like this."\nAs recently as Hoosier Hysteria, the coaching staff was not sure if DeMuth would be ready to play before Big Ten conference play rolled around. Far ahead of schedule, DeMuth will take the court tonight against the Hoosier Lady Stars.\n"The sky's the limit for this team," DeMuth said. "Our goal is to be the Big Ten champion and to make the tourney."\nIU will take on the Hoosier Lady Stars at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Assembly Hall.
(10/17/05 5:06am)
With the fight song blaring and the cream and crimson crowd on its feet, the IU women's basketball team took the court for the first time this season during Hoosier Hysteria Friday night.\n"It was a big asset to be in front of 10,000 fans or however many there were," first-year IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "We were able to sell ourselves to the fans and get them excited about our program."\nAfter being introduced to the boisterous crowd, the Hoosiers played a scrimmage with the red team, the starters, defeating the white team, the reserves, 16-9. \nFifth-year senior Jenny DeMuth scored the first points of the game after sustaining a season-ending injury at last year's Midnight Madness.\n"It was a rough year, but it felt good to be back," DeMuth said. "I was kind of nervous, but when the crowd gets behind you, it is easy."\nThe white team attempted a comeback in the closing minutes, but the red team, powered by senior Angela Hawkins, held off the late charge. Hawkins made several strong plays in the post, grabbing numerous offensive rebounds and attacking the basket, to help hold the lead. Senior guard Cyndi Valentin iced the game on a breakaway layup off a turnover.\nIn the 3-point contest, \nValentin beat sophomore guard Nikki Smith to advance to the final round against the men's winner, senior Marshall Strickland. Valentin reclaimed her third title in four years against Strickland with a score of 14-12 in the final round. \n"Tonight was fun," Valentin said. "It's a great way to start the season. In last year's three-point contest, (former guard) Ryan Tapak beat me, but I made sure I won it this year."\nFollowing the long range contest, the men's and women's squads teamed up for the spot shot contest. DeMuth and sophomore D.J. White advanced to the final round of the contest when DeMuth hit a field goal with the clock winding down.\nThe duo faced freshman Kimberly Roberson and sophomore Robert Vaden in the title round and while DeMuth and White made it close, Roberson and Vaden won 30-25.\n"It was a lot of fun after watching (Midnight Madness) for so many years," Roberson said. "Me and Robert had practiced, so we had a little game plan."\nVersyp said she was happy to see her team perform so well, especially Roberson.\n"We've got a lot of players who could be big surprises this year," Versyp said. "We think Kim is going to be one of those players who is going to step up"
(10/14/05 5:10am)
Midnight Madness is no more. \nOr at least the way IU fans have come to know it in the past. The men's and women's basketball teams will still hold their annual first practice of the year Friday night, but under a new name and at a new time.\n"I'm not sure how I feel about it," said junior center Sarah McKay. "It's always been tradition."\nThanks to legislation from the NCAA Board of Directors that took effect Aug. 1, basketball programs nationwide can begin their annual first practice of the season earlier than midnight.\nAt 9 p.m. tonight, the IU men's and women's basketball teams will take the court for their first practices of the year at Hoosier Hysteria.\nIn addition to a new name for Midnight Madness, the women's team has undergone numerous other changes, including the arrival of a new coach. Sharon Versyp, who joins the team after five years at the University of Maine, has one main goal for her first Hoosier Hysteria.\n"Enjoy the experience," Versyp said. "IU fans are amazing, and we want to prove ourselves to them."\nIU hopes the earlier start time will expose the team to more Hoosier fans.\n"Families are a big part of our fans," McKay said. "Maybe with the earlier time, they will be able to see us."\nAfter the player introductions at 9 p.m., the festivities will begin with a scrimmage for the women's team. The men's team will then be introduced to the Assembly Hall crowd and take part in a scrimmage of its own.\nThe skills contests will begin at approximately 9:45 with the 3-point contest, spot shot contest and the fan favorite, the dunk contest.\nIn the 3-point contest, the women's team will be looking to reclaim its title after then-senior Ryan Tapak beat then-junior guard Cyndi Valentin 13-10 in the final round.\nValentin, who had won the previous two years, would not make a prediction for tonight's event, but the senior believes the women's team has a good chance to take back the title.\n"The girls have a great chance to win," Valentin said. "We've got some really good shooters."\nCompeting for the Hoosiers, along with Valentin, will be junior guard Leah Enterline, sophomore guard Nikki Smith and highly touted freshman guard Kelly McManmon.\nFor the spot shot contest, the women's team will be represented by seniors Valentin and Jennie DeMuth, junior guard Annika Boyd, Smith and freshman forward Kimberly Roberson.\nThe spot shot contest will be the first time IU fans can get a glimpse of DeMuth, who tore her left ACL last year at Midnight Madness. Prior to the injury, DeMuth averaged 18.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game during the 2003-04 season.\nWhile not looking past Hoosier Hysteria, Versyp knows the real team preparation begins Saturday.\n"We're going to take it one day at a time," Versyp said. "But we want to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten"
(09/07/05 5:01am)
Last week, a car struck junior water polo defender Emily Schmitt, leaving her hospitalized. Bloomington Police reports stated Schmitt suffered a fractured spine, but once the season opener rolls around, more details will be hard to come by.\nBecause of a federal restriction passed two years ago, fans shouldn't get much more information about Schmitt's injury. The reason for this withholding of information was the implementation of the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act on April 14, 2003.\nHIPAA is designed to "provide patients with access to their medical records and more control over how their personal health information is used and disclosed," according to the original press release issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.\nThe legislation applies to all kinds of medical care, not just sports injuries, but has definitely made an impact on the sports world. \nAccording to the act, the only information that can be released to the media concerning an injury is what part of the body has been injured and the player's status -- whether it is day-to-day or several months.\n"HIPAA was enacted to protect an individual's medical history/care and to keep it private," said Tim Garl, head trainer for IU men's basketball. "It's important to realize that HIPAA impacts everyone, not just \nstudent-athletes."\nThe main effect the legislation will have on media relations departments is that releasing specific details about a player's injury is prohibited unless the patient wants to release his or her personal \ninformation. \n"Any release of medical information can only be done with the express written consent of the patient," Garl said. "A student-athlete's well-being is our top priority, and informing the media or public of any medical conditions is prohibited. As a result, public release of medical information is kept to a minimum within the parameters of the law."\nPete Rhoda, director of athletic media relations at IU, comes in direct contact with the patient-privacy issue, but he sees how the situation needs to be handled between media relations, medical staffs and fans. \n"The key is communication," Rhoda said. "(IU has) an outstanding sports medicine staff, and they relay to the media relations staff only the pertinent information regarding an injury. It is no different than an NFL injury report that you see in the paper -- it lists the part of the body that is injured and whether the player is out, doubtful, day-to-day or probable."\nRhoda believes it is essential all individuals involved with sports, both on and off the field, understand the importance of HIPAA.\n"We are continuing to educate our media, our coaches and our student-athletes about HIPAA, and how important it is to abide by this law," Rhoda said. "I support HIPAA because I feel that it provides clear parameters for releasing injury information"
(04/29/05 5:46am)
After beginning its six-game road trip on a high note Wednesday, the IU softball team will travel this weekend to Ohio State and Penn State to play four crucial Big Ten games.\nWednesday, the Hoosiers started their road trip right, defeating the Evansville Aces 5-0 behind junior Mariangee Bogado, who threw her first career no-hitter.\n"I just wanted to get a win for the team and myself," Bogado said. "My curveball was really going, and I just felt real comfortable out there."\nOn the evening, Bogado threw seven innings, striking out eight while issuing four walks.\nBogado's no-hitter Wednesday against the Purple Aces was the third of the season for the Hoosiers. Junior Megan Roark has thrown two this season, one against Southern University and a perfect game against IU-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.\n"It was great getting a win heading into this weekend," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "We lost some tough games last weekend, so to come in here positive and get some early runs was a great sign for a coach to see."\nIU will begin its weekend play at 5 p.m. Friday at Ohio State. The Hoosiers will wrap up the two-game set at noon Saturday.\nThe Buckeyes are coming off a 5-0 victory against Bowling Green State University on Wednesday. Because of bad weather conditions last weekend, all four of Ohio State's games were canceled. Ohio State has a 23-14 overall record and a 4-6 Big Ten record. \nLast year in Bloomington, IU split its two games with the Buckeyes.\nSunday, the Hoosiers will travel to Penn State for a doubleheader beginning at noon. The Nittany Lions have won eight of their last 12 games, including a doubleheader sweep against the University of Akron Zips Wednesday. Their recent hot streak has boosted their record to an impressive 30-18 overall, but a lackluster 6-7 mark in conference.\nIU pitchers will have their work cut out for them Sunday as they face an impressive Nittany Lion offense. Freshman Ashley Esparza leads five Penn State hitters who have a .300 batting average or higher with a Ted Williams-like batting average of .413.\nPenn State has been equally good in the pitching circle earning a run average under two runs a game.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/25/05 5:27am)
With only a few weeks remaining in the season before the Big Ten tournament, the IU softball team took the field this weekend for four games against the two teams directly ahead of them in the standings.\nUnfortunately for the Hoosiers, they moved the wrong direction in the standings, dropping all four of the games, including two one-run losses to Minnesota.\nFriday afternoon's first game saw the Golden Gophers strike first in the second inning, but the Hoosiers promptly scored two runs on a Janetta Deaven home run, the first of the freshman catcher's career.\n"I have definitely been seeing the ball better," Deaven said.\nOn the weekend, Deaven went five for ten with three walks and three runs batted in.\nThe score remained 2-1 until the sixth, when Minnesota tallied two more runs to give them the lead.\nIn the middle of the seventh, the game was suspended until Saturday because of a severe thunderstorm warning. The Hoosiers came to bat Saturday for their half of the seventh, but they failed to get anyone on base, giving Minnesota the 3-2 victory.\nAfter a brief intermission, IU took the field again to finish the two-game series. For six innings, the Hoosiers could not bring any runners across the plate as Minnesota jumped out to a 4-0 lead.\nIU's offense came to life in the top of the seventh as they notched three runs against Gopher starter Lyn Peyer. With the bases loaded, sophomore shortstop Christy Wahl came up to the plate with the chance to win the game for IU.\nWahl was patient at the plate, drawing a walk that brought in the tying run. Sophomore Heather Hohs then popped up to end the inning.\nIn the bottom of the seventh, Minnesota catcher Megan Higginbotham came to the plate with one out and knocked out the walk-off home run off of junior pitcher Megan Roark to give the Gophers the 5-4 win.\nIn the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against Wisconsin, IU jumped out to a 6-1 lead, but the Badger offense exploded for eight runs in their half of the sixth. The Hoosiers notched another run in the seventh on a junior second baseman Ashley Griffiths' home run, the second of the season for the senior.\nWisconsin held on for the 10-7 victory.\nThe Hoosiers fared no better in the second game of the doubleheader. Wisconsin scored first in the second inning and never looked back. The Badgers went on to the 5-0 shutout victory.\n"There are always positives," said sophomore third baseman Rachel Terry. "We did come out and hit this weekend."\nIn Friday's loss to Minnesota, Roark got her 400th career strikeout when she punched out Gopher first baseman Rene Konderik. The strikeout moved Roark into third place all-time in IU's record books.\n"I didn't even know about it until someone told me," Roark said. "I try not to think about it when I'm pitching."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/22/05 5:26am)
After traveling to Missouri on Wednesday only to be rained out, the IU softball team returns home this weekend for four Big Ten games that could have an impact on postseason play.\nWednesday, the Hoosiers traveled all the way to Missouri only to have the game called because of weather.\n"Being on a bus for six hours, we definitely wanted to play," said freshman Rachel Carlson.\nWith injuries plaguing the IU defense, Carlson, who came to IU as an outfielder, has played shortstop in the last several games.\nThe Hoosiers will face Minnesota and Wisconsin, the two teams ahead of IU in the conference standings. Only the top eight teams will make the Big Ten tournament with IU currently in the 10th slot.\n"We are very capable of winning the majority of our last ten Big Ten games," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "We hope to get two wins out of this weekend, and hopefully the weather will let us play."\nMinnesota is riding its longest winning streak of the season with four games and will try to continue that streak at 4 p.m. today beginning and then at noon Saturday.\nThe Golden Gophers have a 22-20 record overall and a 3-7 mark in Big Ten play.\nSophomore catcher Megan Higginbotham leads the team with a .370 batting average while senior Lyn Peyer anchors the pitching staff with a 13-12 record and 2.34 ERA.\nLast season, IU split a doubleheader with the Badgers.\nThe Hoosiers will tangle with the Wisconsin Badgers (17-19 overall, 3-7 in Big Ten play) Sunday for a doubleheader beginning at noon. Just like Minnesota, the Badgers have a four-game winning streak heading into this weekend's play.\nThe Badgers feature a balanced offense led by seniors Boo Gillette and Anastasia Miller and their team-leading eight home runs and 23 runs a piece. \nWith only seven games remaining after this weekend, beating Minnesota and Wisconsin is key if the Hoosiers want to make the Big Ten tourney.\n"We need some victories," said sophomore left fielder Heather Hohs. "All of us want to be there (Big Ten Tournament) so we'll be gunning for Minnesota and Wisconsin."\nTo jump ahead in the standings, IU must revive an offense that has struggled at the plate in recent games.\nThe Hoosiers have managed only four runs in their last six games, but they hope to turn things around this weekend.\nPhillips offered a simple solution to the hitting woes. \n"Swing as hard as they can against strikes," Phillips said. \nBecause it is so late in the season and the schools are so far apart, IU will not make up its doubleheader against Missouri. \nThe games are scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday against Minnesota and noon Sunday against Wisconsin. All home softball games are played at the IU Softball Field located off of Fee Lane behind the Foster Residence Center.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/18/05 6:09am)
With almost a week off since its last game, the IU softball team played four games this weekend against Northwestern and Michigan, the two top teams in the Big Ten.\nPlaying two top teams like Northwestern and Michigan did not alter IU's game plan.\n"We're going to continue playing IU softball," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "It's always a tough outing, but you hope to pull something out."\nThe Hoosiers took the field Friday afternoon against Northwestern, ranked No. 16 in the nation.\nThe Wildcats jumped on the board first, scoring six runs in the first two innings off of junior Mariangee Bogado.\nThe IU offense was not able to come back against the early deficit, managing only four hits. Northwestern would tally four runs in the sixth as they went on to the 10-0 shutout.\nSaturday's game against the Wildcats once again took an early lead, but IU was able to fight back.\nSophomore Tory Yamaguchi blasted her seventh home run of the season in the fourth inning to bring the Hoosiers within one.\nThe Wildcats scored two runs in the fifth, giving them the 4-1 lead. IU mounted a late comeback in the seventh when a Lauren Hines single brought in Yamaguchi from second base. \nSophomore Rachel Terry walked to give IU two runners on base, but the comeback stalled as Northwestern starter Courtnay Foster struck out the next two batters as she led the Wildcats to victory, 4-2.\nAfter two tough losses to Northwestern, IU faced the No. 1 team in the nation, the Michigan Wolverines, in a Sunday doubleheader. The games marked the first time IU has played the team ranked No. 1 in both national polls.\nIn the first game of the twin bill, Michigan starter Jennie Ritter threw a perfect game against the Hoosiers in a 9-0 victory. Ritter threw five innings, striking out nine of the 15 batters she faced.\nIU starter junior Megan Roark struggled against the Wolverines, pitching four innings while giving up seven runs, five of them earned.\n"Playing against a team like Michigan allows you to measure up and see where you need to improve," Roark said.\nIn the second game, IU fought back from a 3-0 hole to score two runs in the third inning, but Michigan promptly scored two more runs in its half of the inning to increase the lead to three.\nMichigan would go on to win the game 10-2. IU's record dropped to 12-31 on the year and 2-8 in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers will travel to Missouri on Wednesday for an afternoon doubleheader.\n"Our goal is to play IU softball," Yamaguchi said. "We have to go out hard and start from there."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/11/05 5:40am)
After struggling last weekend against Michigan State and losing a heartbreaker to Louisville Wednesday, the IU softball team traveled to Illinois and Iowa this weekend for four conference games.\nThe Hoosiers wasted no time turning things around, beating the Illini 4-3 Friday evening. \n"We were definitely motivated," said sophomore center fielder Kim Richards. "We proved we can play in this conference." \nAfter two quiet innings, the IU offense came to life, notching four runs in the third inning thanks to two Illinois errors. \nThe blue and orange charged back with two in the fifth and another in the sixth, but IU was too much.\nJunior Mariangee Bogado pitched three no-hit innings in relief to earn the save, IU's first of the year. Junior Megan Roark earned the victory, bringing her season record to 9-13.\nIU continued its hot play Saturday downing the Illini in another close game of 3-2. Richards led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to give the Hoosiers the early lead.\nThe center fielder later made a nice diving catch in the third inning that prevented Illinois from scoring.\nAfter giving up an unearned run that tied the game, Bogado pitched out of a jam in the fourth, leaving Illini runners stranded in scoring position. \nIU took advantage, scoring twice in their half of the inning. The Hoosiers held on for the victory, giving Bogado her first win of the season.\n"It was great to get the win," Bogado said. "I felt very confident and the team really supported me."\nThe two victories gave IU its first two-game sweep since 1999 against Ohio State and their first Big Ten two-game road sweep since 1998 versus Penn State.\n"This was a huge step for us," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "It feels good to get some wins."\nAfter sweeping the Illini, the Hoosiers traveled to Iowa for a Sunday doubleheader. IU struggled through both games, losing 5-0 and 3-0. \n"Iowa's one of the top teams in the nation," Richards said. "We can't make mistakes against a team like that."\nIowa starters Lisa Birocci and Ali Arnold threw a combined 14 innings, striking out 20 Hoosier batters, and allowing only three combined hits in two games.\n"Their pitchers did a nice job of hitting their spots," Phillips said. "We just didn't connect on them."\nAfter going 2-2 this weekend, IU's record now stands at 12-27 overall, 2-4 in Big Ten play. \nThe Hoosiers will travel to Indiana State Wednesday to make up a March 23 game that was postponed due to rain.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/08/05 6:09am)
After losing a heartbreaker Wednesday afternoon at Louisville, the IU softball team will continue its five-game road trip this weekend against Illinois and Iowa.\nWednesday's game against the Cardinals went into extra innings before Louisville shortstop Courtney Moore hit a game-winning home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning.\n"We're going to use this as motivation," said sophomore shortstop Christy Wahl. "We played all nine innings as a team and came together through the whole thing."\nAlthough they did lose, the Hoosiers were able to come out of Wednesday's loss with some positive things.\n"One swing made the game go the other way," said junior right fielder Lauren Hines. "We're able to take a lot of good things away from the game. We played a great game defensively."\nThe loss dropped IU's record to 10-24 overall as they head into conference play this weekend.\n"We still have the potential to do big things in the Big Ten," said IU coach Stacey Phillips. "We have to stick to what we do well."\nWith the heartbreaker at Louisville, the Hoosiers have now lost four in a row, including two games against Michigan State to open the Big Ten season.\nThey hope to turn it around quickly as they take on Illinois (15-15 overall, 0-4 in conference) at 6 p.m. tonight and wrap up the two game series at noon tomorrow.\nThe Illini have struggled in Big Ten play, losing two games a piece to Northwestern and Michigan, the No. 1 team in the nation in the latest ESPN/USA softball poll.\nOn the season, Illinois' high-powered offense features three hitters batting at a .300 clip or better. Freshman infielder Shanna Diller leads the offense with five home runs and 29 runs batted in.\nThe Hoosiers will face sophomore Mary Miller in the circle. Miller leads the team in victories with ten, but batters are hitting .303 against her while hitting 13 home runs. \nIU will wrap up the road trip with a doubleheader Sunday afternoon against the Iowa Hawkeyes, ranked No. 19 in the nation.\nJust like the Illini, Iowa has struggled in Big Ten play. After finishing their preseason schedule 27-5, the Hawkeyes have lost three of four conference games. \nLast season, IU struggled against Iowa, losing two games in Bloomington.\nThe Hoosiers hope to work on consistent hitting.\n"When you step up to the plate, you're supposed to have fun, and we haven't seen that consistently," Phillips said.\nIU is ready to hit the road in improving their record and with the long-term goal of the Big Ten tournament down the road.\n"If we win three of four and hit like we want to, I'll be very satisfied," Phillips said.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.
(04/05/05 4:36am)
An IU pitcher warms up in the home bullpen down the third base line, but it isn't Megan Roark or Mariangee Bogado. The pitcher is Amy Unterbrink-Poljan, one of IU softball's all-time great pitchers, and she is getting ready to throw out the first pitch.\nSaturday was officially Amy Unterbrink-Poljan Day, with the Hoosiers honoring one of IU's all-time great pitchers. To this day, 19 years after she threw her last pitch as a Hoosier, her pitching records still stand, some of which probably never will be broken.\n"Twenty years ago, I didn't expect someone to come up and congratulate me," Unterbrink-Poljan said. "I thought (the records) would go in the books and that would be the end of it."\nSome of Unterbrink-Poljan's career records include most all-time wins (96), career ERA (0.53), complete games (122), shutouts (61) and strikeouts (1,089), among several others.\nPerhaps most impressive is Unterbrink-Poljan's throwing nine no-hitters and three perfect games in her playing career, both of which are Hoosier records. \nIU pitcher Megan Roark talked to Unterbrink-Poljan this weekend between games. \n"It was nice getting to know a legend like her," Roark said. "With the standard she set, it is a big deal to meet her."\nEarlier this season, Roark threw a perfect game versus IU-Purdue University at Fort Wayne and a no-hitter against Southern University.\nLast October, when Unterbrink-Poljan became the first softball player inducted into the IU Hall of Fame, IU coach Stacey Phillips approached her about honoring her during the season.\n"This was a tribute to Amy and to the IU softball program," Phillips said. "Hopefully this will open the door to others to get into the Hall of Fame."\nUnterbrink-Poljan, now a mother of six with the seventh on the way, arrived Friday afternoon in Bloomington in time to see some of IU's Big Ten opener versus Michigan State. \n"It was fun to show (my kids) the campus," Unterbrink-Poljan said. "One of them said, 'Mom, I didn't even know you went to college.' This showed another dimension of their mom, that there is another part of me other than just the loving mother." \nDuring her two-day visit, Unterbrink-Poljan talked with the softball team, an opportunity the players did not take for granted.\n"The team thinks a whole lot of her personality," Phillips said. "Advice from a Hall of Famer can't be a bad thing."\nLooking back to her October Hall of Fame visit, Unterbrink-Poljan is glad she returned to IU.\n"I hadn't been back in 19 years before the Hall of Fame," she said. "It's very exciting to be back. I get giddy coming back. I always liked playing here. I was always happy to play ball and contribute to the team."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.