IU seeks third tourney win

This weekend the IU women's volleyball team will be hosting its second home tournament of the season, the IU Credit Union Invitational. This year marks the third time the Hoosiers (4-4) have hosted the event, and the team is a perfect 6-0 in the tournament's history, capturing the title on both occasions.\nDuring the two-day event the Hoosiers will play Saint Louis University (5-7), Austin Peay (4-3) and Western Kentucky (9-3). Western Kentucky comes into the tournament on a hot streak as they have won nine of their last 10 matches, sweeping all three teams they faced this past weekend. \nLast weekend the Hoosiers traveled to South Bend to compete in the Notre Dame Shamrock Invitational. In South Bend, the Hoosiers lost to the No. 15 Irish in four sets, and then fell to South Carolina in a five-set heartbreaker. The tournament allowed the Hoosiers to face off against some tougher competition and gauge where they are as a team as the Big Ten season nears.\n"We learned a lot last weekend," coach Katie Weismiller said. "We couldn't be happier with the competition we played. Obviously the outcome we would like to see a little bit different, but I can guarantee that we learned a lot this weekend and are probably better prepared for Big Ten season because of it."\nThis weekend the Hoosiers will be looking to regain some confidence, but warn that despite the lack of big name programs in this tournament, all three teams the Hoosiers will face are quality opponents.\n"Right now we have three great teams coming in," Weismiller said. "It's going to be a battle, every match this weekend. I also think that this team understands that they have to step up to the challenge." \nNext weekend the Hoosiers will begin Big Ten play, and some team members look at this tournament as providing a final-tune up for the team. \n"This tournament will be very important to us," senior middle blocker Melissa Brewer said. "We had a rough weekend last weekend. If we can turn things around, it'll be a great confidence builder." \nIn the IU Credit Union Invitational, the Hoosiers hope many of their key players will continue their stellar play. Junior outside hitter Christina Archibald has been named to the All-Tournament team in all three tournaments the Hoosiers have competed in so far this season. Last weekend, she led the Hoosiers with 42 kills and 23 digs, and the Belleville, Ill., native has recorded 10 or more kills in 19 consecutive matches. Junior setter Victoria Zimmerman continues to climb the IU record books. Zimmerman currently ranks sixth on the school's all-time assists list and triggers the Hoosier attack. \nWhile the Hoosiers' .500 record is not a major concern for the team, practices have been intense and the team is working out the kinks and fine tuning all facets of their games.\n"We're really focusing on communication night now, and playing as a team and always knowing what we're doing on the court and working together," junior Beth Heimann said. "We're just getting started. We're learning as we go as long as we keep getting better."\nThe Hoosiers will face off against Saint Louis 7 p.m. Friday, battle Austin Peay noon Saturday, and finish the tournament versus Western Kentucky 7:30 p.m. Saturday. All matches during the tournament will be played at the University Gym, which is located at the corner of 10th Street and the 45/46 Bypass.\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Glenesk at mglenesk@indiana.edu.