Ohio State handles Hoosiers 3-1

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 11:14 pm on November 20, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

The IU volleyball team couldn’t engineer a comeback to win for seniors Kelsey Hall and Whitney Thomas, falling to Ohio State in four sets for the second time this season.

The Buckeyes (22-8, 10-7) took one step further to earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament by beating the Hoosiers (15-16, 4-13) by scores of 25-16, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-22.

Hall, who was honored with her parents before the match along with Thomas and senior trainer Meghan Chambers, powered the Hoosiers offensively, earning 13 kills in her penultimate match inside University Gym.

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IU volleyball vs. Ohio State, round two

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 7:12 pm on November 20, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

Senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall and graduate right-side hitter Whitney Thomas hope their Senior Night culminates with a revenge win against Ohio State at 7 p.m. today in University Gym.

A preview of the match as the Hoosiers (15-15, 4-12) square off against the Buckeyes (21-8, 9-7) for the second time this season:

When they last met

Ohio State won a four set affair by scores of 25-19, 25-22, 23-25 and 25-23 in Columbus Oct. 24.

Where they stand now

The Buckeyes stand fifth in the Big Ten with a 9-7 mark. They have received votes for the AVCA Top 25 poll and look to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Hoosiers are tied with Purdue and Iowa for last in the conference as each team has a 4-12 record in the Big Ten.

Keys to the match

IU wants to win for Hall and Thomas, so emotions will run high on the Hoosiers’ side of the net. IU needs to defend well, as Ohio State outsidehitter Katie Dull can make things happen from the pins. Middle blockers Ashley Benson and Taylor Wittmer, as well as setter Mary Chaudoin, must own the net as they did late in the previous meeting.

Buckeyes coach Geoff Carlston has done a tremendous job thus far in turning around Ohio State’s program. If the Buckeyes want to finish strong enough for a NCAA bid, they will need to be wary of a prideful Hoosiers squad that is showing it won’t let up the rest of the way. Emotions aside, Ohio State cannot let IU back into the match late like they did the last time if they get an early lead.

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‘Here’s Something from Mary’ Episode 13

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 2:10 pm on November 17, 2009 | Print | Share | Comment (1)

This week, sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin gives a tour of the IU volleyball team’s chartered plane for Big Ten trips, freshmen Kelci Marschall and Samantha Thrower display their humor, junior middle blocker Ashley Benson models at breakfast and student assistant Martyna Popik is the victim of a Friday the 13th prank.

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Benson earns Big Ten defensive award

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 1:50 pm on November 17, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

IU junior middle blocker Ashley Benson added to her long list of career accolades on Monday when she was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her performances against Michigan State and No. 14 Michigan.

Benson recorded 11 block assists to contribute to 15.0 total team blocks in the Hoosiers’ five-set victory at Michigan State on Friday. The following night, she earned nine total blocks, two solo, in a five-set loss to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

The weekly award is the third of Benson’s career. She won consecutive Player of the Week awards during her sophomore season in 2008.

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IU falls to Michigan in five sets

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 10:29 pm on November 14, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

The IU volleyball team endured its second straight five-set match Saturday, but this time it fell short of upsetting No. 14 Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Down two sets to none, the Hoosiers (15-15, 4-12) staged a furious rally to force a fifth set before the Wolverines (22-7, 10-6) gathered themselves and survived the scare by scores of 25-23, 25-14, 23-25, 16-25 and 15-11.

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IU volleyball vs. Michigan, round two

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 7:59 pm on November 14, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

Coming off its first victory since Oct. 16 in East Lansing Friday, the IU volleyball team hopes to carry the momentum it gained against Michigan State into today’s match in Ann Arbor against No. 14 Michigan.

A preview of the second match of the weekend for the Hoosiers (15-14, 4-11), who square off against the Wolverines (21-7, 9-6):

When they last met

Michigan swept IU in Bloomington on Sept. 25, winning by scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-23.

Where they stand now

The Wolverines are the No. 14 team in the country and are tied with Ohio State for fourth in the Big Ten, each boasting a 9-6 conference mark.

The Hoosiers are now tied with Michigan State and Purdue for eighth in the conference at 4-11. With their win last night, IU jumped Iowa and Purdue by virtue of head-to-head and total season wins, respectively.

Keys to the match

IU coach Sherry Dunbar said before the previous meeting with Michigan that the Wolverines are among the elite serving teams in the nation. They lead the Big Ten with 177 aces and a 1.70 per-game average.

The Hoosiers need to be ready for each Michigan server, particularly sophomore Alex Hunt and senior Juliana Paz, who rank third and fourth in the Big Ten with 0.47 and 0.41 aces per game, respectively. Dunbar said IU also needs to be aggressive on offense and match the Wolverines’ efficiency.

Michigan can hit and serve as well as any team in the Big Ten and in the nation, but they face an IU team that is capable of producing in both areas as well. The Wolverines will need to be ready for the Hoosiers’ best effort as they ride a wave of momentum from snapping a seven-match losing streak.

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Hoosiers snap losing streak, beat Michigan State in five sets

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 1:57 am on November 14, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

The IU volleyball team ended its seven-match skid with a five-set win at Michigan State Friday.

The victory is the first in East Lansing for the Hoosiers (15-14, 4-11) since 1991, according to IUHoosiers.com. IU outlasted the Spartans (16-11, 4-11) to sweep the season series, winning by scores of 23-25, 25-21, 21-25, 29-27 and 15-12.

Three IU players recorded double-doubles.

Junior middle blocker Ashley Benson registered 18 kills and 11 blocks, and outside hitters, freshman Jordan Haverly and senior Kelsey Hall, earned 14 and 17 kills, respectively, and 13 and 10 digs.

After falling 2-1, the Hoosiers engaged in a back-and-forth bout with Michigan State in the fourth set that ultimately needed extra points to decide. Facing a Spartan match point at 27-26, IU stayed alive and won the set 29-27 to force a decisive frame.

Trailing Michigan State 8-7 in the fifth set, the Hoosiers surged to win five straight points and claim the lead for good. IU won the set 15-12 and put an end to both its losing streak and its fifth-set funk.

The Hoosiers return to action at 7 p.m. Saturday at No. 14 Michigan. The Wolverines (21-7, 9-6) swept IU in the teams’ first meeting this season on Sept. 25.

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IU volleyball vs. Michigan State, round two

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 7:16 pm on November 13, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

The IU volleyball team aims to snap a seven-match losing streak with a win at Michigan State at 6 p.m. today.

A preview of the action as the Hoosiers (14-14, 3-11) go for a season sweep of the Spartans (16-10, 4-10):

When they last met

IU defended University Gym when the two squads first met on Sept. 30, winning in four sets by scores of 25-19, 18-25, 25-23 and 25-18.

Where they stand now

The Spartans have collected all their conference victories in East Lansing and are tied with Purdue for eighth in the Big Ten.

The Hoosiers reside alone in the cellar of the conference with a 3-11 mark.

Keys to the match

Four different players recorded service aces for IU in the teams’ previous meeting. The Hoosiers need to be solid from the service line to open a sizeable advantage in the match. In addition, defense will be key for IU as Michigan State ranks fifth in the Big Ten in hitting percentage, kills and blocks.

On the Spartans’ side of the net, players must play to strengths. Teams have been able to hit effectively against IU lately, and Michigan State’s offensive attack can do the same. Receiving serves is also key for the Spartans as the Hoosiers have plenty of ace threats.

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“Here’s Something from Mary” Episode Twelve

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 3:26 pm on November 11, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

Sophomore setter Mary Chaudoin chats with B97’s Alex Starr, the voice of IU Olympic sports, in this week’s episode. She also talks to Elizabeth Moreau and Brent Stover, who called the Hoosiers’ match against Purdue on Big Ten Network, and interviews freshman middle blocker Samantha Thrower.

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Minnesota sweeps Hoosiers again

By Drew Allen | IDS volleyball writer

Posted at 10:23 pm on November 6, 2009 | Print | Share | Comments (0)

The IU volleyball team suffered another disappointing loss, 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’s time.

Senior outside hitter Kelsey Hall shined in a losing effort, earning eight kills, five in the first set.

However, IU couldn’t stop Gibbemeyer, who led Minnesota in both kills and block assists with 12 and four, respectively.

The Hoosiers hit the road again next weekend with matches at Michigan State on Friday and No. 15 Michigan on Saturday.

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