Team splits to open Big Ten play

The women's volleyball team hoped to usher in the Big Ten season by making a statement with an opening weekend sweep of Northwestern and No. 14 Wisconsin. Instead, the expected unfolded, as IU eased past the Wildcats 15-2, 15-10, 10-15, 15-10 and took a three-game loss from the Badgers, 15-12, 15-3, 15-12.\nIU held the Wildcats to a 0.052 hitting percentage and contained freshman Erika Lange, holding the high-powered middle blocker to eight hits. More importantly, Lange committed nine attacking errors for an -0.040 hitting percentage.\nSenior outside hitter Amanda Welter led the Hoosier attack with 17 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Hillary Toivonen chipped in with 11 kills. \nThe road wasn't kind to the Hoosiers Saturday, as more than 3,500 fans packed Wisconsin Field House, helping the Badgers to a three-game win against IU.\nThree different Badgers tallied double-digit kills. Toivonen finished with 15 kills for IU (10-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten), and freshman middle blocker Melissa Brewer ended with 12.\nWisconsin has now beaten IU 12 of the last 15 times the two have met.