IU seeks to end losing streak in Midwest

The IU volleyball team hits the road this weekend for a pair of Big Ten matches against Iowa and Minnesota. The Hoosiers head west still searching for that elusive first road victory. Last weekend the Hoosiers (10-15, 3-11 Big Ten) fell to then-No. 17 Penn State before dispatching Ohio State in four games at home, halting their losing streak at 11 matches. \nIn IU's victory against the Buckeyes, the team recorded a season-high 32 block assists.\nThe Hoosiers have played both Iowa and Minnesota already this season and defeated them in the same weekend during a homestand in September. The Hoosiers swept both the Hawkeyes and the Gophers to open up Big Ten play.\nIU coach Katie Weismiller said that although her team's Big Ten performance has not met the preseason expectations, confidence remains high.\n"They know that we have and can beat them again," Weismiller said. "Obviously, Minnesota has been on quite a roll, but last weekend they struggled and lost two, and I'm sure they are going to be fired up to see us and get an opportunity to play us again. This team is pretty confident, and they're stepping up to the challenge."\nThe Hawkeyes enter this weekend in search of their first Big Ten victory of the season. Iowa's record currently sits at 5-19 and 0-14 in conference play. The Hawkeyes' pain continued last weekend as they were swept by both Northwestern and Illinois. \nBefore last weekend, the Golden Gophers sat atop the Big Ten standings but suffered quite a setback as they were upset by both Illinois and Northwestern. Now Minnesota, 17-9 and 10-4 in the Big Ten, sits in a three-way tie for second place with Illinois and Wisconsin. The Gophers come into this weekend's match against the Hoosiers ranked No. 24 in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches' Association poll.\nWith the season coming to a close and only six matches remaining on IU's schedule, some Hoosier players are looking to finish this season and, in some cases, their careers, on a high note.\n"You want to end on a good note," senior Melissa Brewer said. "You don't want to go out losing the rest of your games. You just have to play hard, knowing that you left everything out there on the floor, especially in your last few matches."\nWith the weight of an 11-match losing streak lifted from their shoulders, the Hoosier players have regained their early season confidence and are hoping to recapture their early season success, which saw them win nine of their first 15 matches.\n"I think for us and the program, it is very important for us to finish strong this season," junior Beth Heimann said. "To go out with a winning record over the last six games would be awesome. I think it is important for the younger girls to get some momentum going into next season."\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Glenesk at mglenesk@indiana.edu.