Hoosiers expect large crowd against Purdue

For the biggest home game of the season, the women's volleyball team hopes to draw the biggest crowd. \nWhen the Hoosiers face off against in-state rival Purdue, it is incorporating its annual "Pack the House" night for added motivation going into the match.\n"Hopefully, we'll get enough fans out here so that (it) will be standing room only," sophomore outside hitter Hillary Toivonen said. "'Pack the House' is when they try to get all the fans here, because the crowd has a lot to do with how we perform."\nFor the Hoosiers, this event couldn't come at a better time. IU is on a five-game losing streak, and it hopes the big crowd will give the team the momentum it needs to get past Purdue. IU has the upper hand on the match, as the Hoosiers have won seven of the past eight matches played in Bloomington against Purdue. \n"We like the loud atmosphere, and it's better when the crowd is for you, instead of against you," freshman middle blocker Melissa Brewer said. "We need some redemption for us right now, anyway, so having the crowd behind us is going to help a lot."\nThe biggest crowds in the University Gymnasium are against Purdue, and the Hoosiers are hoping this year is the same -- with one change: break the previous single game attendance record. In a 1987 victory against Purdue, the Hoosiers drew 1,500 fans to the University Gym to witness the event.\nIn hopes of drawing a big crowd, IU is working hand-in-hand with the community to get the word out about the match.\n"The team has written invitations to people," coach Katie Weismiller said. "We've tried to get it on the air, but hopefully through word-of-mouth we can get people out here."\nBrewer has two hopes for her first "Pack the House" Saturday. She said she wants a win for the team and a personal contribution of some sort. But Brewer herself will have a crowd -- the Bloomington native's family plans to attend the match. \n"I'm so excited," Brewer said. "I'm expecting a lot of people to come, and it's really going to help. I can't wait to play in front of a big crowd here"