Around The Game

Hockey team faces off against Ferris, Michigan State\nThe hockey team (15-3-2, 3-1-2) hits the road this weekend for a pair of Great Midwestern Hockey League matchups that should provide a preview of the GMHL playoffs in two weeks. \nFirst up for the Hoosiers is Ferris State University, followed by a Saturday evening face-off at Michigan State. In early November, these same two teams visited Bloomington and both walked away with losses. \nFerris State lost 4-3 at the Hoosiers' expense, while the Spartans managed only one goal in a 5-1 lopsided victory. IU and the Spartans met again in the championship game of the Big Ten Classic Tournament on November 24 with similar results, a 4-1 victory for the Hoosiers.\nThe Hoosiers will be looking for some redemption after managing to muster only a 3-3 tie last Saturday when another division rival, the Michigan Wolverines, came into town. Leading scorer Bryan Grant (40 points) and his linemates Brandon Phillips and Dan Hauck were held off the scoresheet two games in a row for the first time this season. All are expected to be fully recovered from the flu-like symptoms that have been plaguing several members of the team over the last couple weeks.\nWomen's tennis faces two opponents this weekend\nThe women's tennis team, coming off of home wins against Miami (OH) and Western Michigan, travel to Ball State on Saturday for a 1 p.m. battle. The Hoosiers then will meet up against their second ranked opponent of the season when they travel to Notre Dame on Sunday to meet up with the number 13 Fighting Irish at 11 am. \nBall State is coming off a 6-1 victory over Butler to open up their season, while Notre Dame downed both Illinois State and Northern Iowa.\nThe Hoosiers are led by their doubles combination of sophomore Linda Tran and junior Karie Schlukebir and their number singles players freshman Inga Radel and sophomore Martina Grimm.\nHead coach Lin Loring has liked what he has seen from his team so far this season, but knows his team can improve. \n"We will have to play better next week on the road, especially against No. 12 Notre Dame," said Loring.\nThe Hoosiers go back into action on February 9 at home versus Marquette and Butler.