Volleyball looks to cash in on recent success

After two long and successful games at home last weekend the women's volleyball team hits the road Friday, traveling to Northwestern and Wisconsin for another weekend of Big Ten play. IU is 6-14 overall and 3-9 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers' last two conference games proved to be a confidence booster for the team as they defeated Iowa in four games (24-30, 30-28, 30-20, 30-27) and nearly defeated Minnesota in five games (30-27, 30-32, 22-30, 30-19, 10-15). \n"I think that we have a lot of confidence going in, we have gained confidence with the Iowa and the Purdue and then playing Minnesota in five is certainly one way to gain confidence," coach Katie Weismiller said. \nThe first rematch of the weekend pitts the Hoosiers against Northwestern, who are 8-11 overall and 4-7 in the conference. The Wildcats beat the Hoosiers the first time around, but Northwestern head coach Keylor Chan is expecting the match to be anyone's game. \n"I think that both teams are pretty close," Chan said. "I think that Indiana is a very good team. I think that we played well and I don't think it really matters who won the first contest, it's always nice to play at home, but Indiana is a very capable team and they are capable of beating us if we don't come out and play well. I am looking forward to a good match and it will be a tough one for us." \nNorthwestern comes into the match after a four game losing streak. The team's trouble has had it's toll on the Wildcats. Sophomore middle blocker Erika Lange was held to three kills against Ohio State, as opposed to her usual double digit scoring.\nThe Hoosiers' second match of the weekend takes them to Wisconsin, the home state of IU junior Laurie Gardner, who will play against sister Korie for the second time this season.\nIn their last meeting the Badgers swept IU in three games (30-15, 30-23, 30-26), but Wisconsin is now reeling after a five game loss to then No. 13 Penn State. Wisconsin now falls two spots to seven in USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Coaches poll. \nDespite its disappointing weekend Wisconsin still boasts a 17-3 overall record and sits at the top of Big Ten with a 11-1 record. The Penn State match posed problems for the team, but senior middle blocker Sherisa Livingston still dominated with 21 kills, and freshman outside hitter Jill Odenthal tallied 14.\nThe Hoosiers have their own power team with Christina Archibald, Melissa Brewer and Hillary Toivonen all dominating the court in their last games. Archibald is leading the team with 251 kills for the season, Brewer recorded 17 kills against Iowa and Toivonen has counted 169 digs in 20 matches.\nWith their roster full of key players, the Hoosiers take their confidence on the road for more Big Ten challenges.\n"We are trying to come out strong and ready to play," Gardner said. "If we do that I think that we can beat anyone"