Loss to Purdue brings streak to 4

With a four-match losing streak on their backs this weekend, the IU women's volleyball team members travel to Champaign, Ill., to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini.\nWednesday night, the Hoosiers lost to in-state rival Purdue University in West Lafayette in three straight sets. Last weekend's T.I.S. Bookstore Invitational saw IU lose all three matches they played against the University of Pittsburgh, Kent State University and the University of Alabama.\nWith the four losses, the Hoosiers have dropped their record to 6-6 (0-1 in conference) after starting the season strong with a 6-2 record. IU coach Katie Weismiller said she is not letting the losses keep her team down.\n"The team has great character," Weismiller said. "We can come back when we're down."\nOne of the main problems the Hoosiers have had so far this season is the ability to win a match when they are up. Against both Kent State and Pittsburgh, the Hoosiers were either up or tied before they eventually lost the match.\n"We have to learn to finish a match," Weismiller said.\nAgainst the Boilermakers Wednesday, the Hoosier offense just could not get on track. Senior outside hitter Christina Archibald led IU with 10 kills. The match against Purdue was the 21st straight match Archibald has registered double digit kills. \nThe Purdue offense looked downright unstoppable, compiling a .640 hitting percentage in the final game of the match, winning 30-12.\nThis Saturday the Hoosiers will take on the Fighting Illini, ranked No. 13 in the nation with an 8-1 record. Illinois will play its first Big Ten match of the year tonight against Purdue.\nThe Illini is lead by junior outside hitter Rachel VanMeter (4.38 kills per game) and junior outside hitter Rasa Virsilaite (3.82 kills per game).\nIn the all-time series between the Hoosiers and the Illini, Illinois has a commanding 43-14 lead. Since 1985, the orange and blue has gone 32-6 against the Hoosiers. \nIllinois won both matches last year, including a road win in Bloomington.\nWhile the Hoosiers are on a four-match losing streak, there have been several bright spots for coach Weismiller's squad. One of the main concerns for the Hoosiers this year was how they would fit in six newcomers to the team (five freshmen and one transfer).\nTwo freshmen, outside hitter Christine Nilles and right side Lauren Ditteon, have been key contributors for the Hoosiers. Freshman Juli Pierce has also made important contributions on the defensive end.\n"We're getting a lot of respect," Nilles said. "We're earning a lot of respect just by being out on the court. At the same time, we are learning a lot and getting more experience."\nAnother surprise for the Hoosiers came this past weekend with the impressive offensive performance from junior outside hitter Rachel Gerling. Gerling transferred from Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach, Calif., this summer. With the offense struggling this past weekend, Gerling came off the bench to pump some life into the Hoosier attack.\nThe Hoosiers say the current four-match skid is not going to keep them down as they head into the Big Ten season.\n"We're going to go back into practice and work hard," Archibald said.\nThe schedule does not get any easier for the Hoosiers. IU continues its road trip next weekend against Michigan State and Michigan. For now, the Hoosiers are concentrating on the Illini, hoping to end their losing streak this weekend.\n-- Contact staff writer Tim O'Brien at tpobrien@indiana.edu.