Upbeat Hoosiers need road wins

Coach Katie Weismiller remains optimistic. Judging by her team's high morale, Weismiller's daily volleyball lessons must include steadfast adherence to upbeat attitudes. While it seems the volleyball team would be scattering and fretful after a 1-3 start in the Big Ten, it's not.\nThe Hoosiers aren't even all that flustered, shaken or scared. Instead, as they prepare to battle Michigan and Michigan State this weekend, they said they're confident.\n"We have a great opportunity in front of us," Weismiller said. "We match up well with them. We need wins, but it's still early. We don't want to look back on this weekend and not be able to smile."\nThe Hoosiers weren't grinning after dropping a pair of home matches last weekend, including a five-game loss to Iowa after leading 2-1. Weismiller said her bunch played with "no heart" in the Hawkeye defeat, and "never showed up." She gave the team Tuesday afternoon off to regain some energy for a solid week of practice for two high-powered, fast-paced offenses.\nThe Wolverines and Spartans have been in and out of the top 25 this year, with Michigan reaching as high as No. 23 and Michigan State topping out at No. 16. Weismiller, once again, said she expects to use ball-control offense and steady serving to impede both offenses.\nMaking that task all the more challenging will be Spartan middle blocker Jessica Sanborn, an All-Big Ten performer last season. Sanborn leads a Spartan (10-3 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) offense that carries a 0.286 hitting percentage, good for second in the league. Sanborn boasts a 0.423 hitting percentage and 1.28 blocks per game, both second in the Big Ten.\nMichigan (10-4, 1-3) has surprised fellow Big Ten squads, but lost to Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois. Weismiller said the Wolverines are like the Hoosiers, because they don't really have a go-to-player, but rely on a number of above-average players.\nOutside hitter Sarah Behnke and middle blocker Joanna Fielder lead the Wolverine attack; both are among the team leaders in almost every Michigan statistic.\n"Michigan has surprised us," freshman outside hitter Melissa Brewer said. "They've impressed me, but these are two matches we should win. There's a sense of urgency. We need some wins."\nWeismiller said even if IU doesn't sweep this weekend, the Hoosiers are still amid the hunt for the Big Ten crown, but she does admit, like Brewer, they are anxious to get a much-needed win.\nNeither Weismiller nor her team said they fear an emotional letdown like the one against Iowa.\n"If we can get two wins, we'll be more recognized," junior defensive specialist Crecia Keithley said. "We had a talk after the Iowa game, and we know there are no predetermined matches in the Big Ten. We had high expectations, and we still hold them"