Hoosiers falter in 2 of 3 matches, defeat Loyola-Chicago

The IU volleyball team struggled early at this weekend's Bama Bash, dropping its first two matches before rebounding for a 3-1 win over Loyola University Chicago in the last match.\nThe Hoosiers dropped their first two matches in the tournament in straight sets, first getting beat by Oklahoma 0-3 (28-30, 20-30, 22-30) and then losing to Alabama 0-3 (29-31, 21-30, 35-37).\nThe Hoosiers' early problems were mainly on the offensive side of the ball, where they were out-hit in all six of their games of the first two matches. IU also trailed in the dig department, 104-70, in both matches combined.\n"This weekend was a great learning experience," senior Mandy Eberle said. "We really need to work on putting balls away."\nIU's offense was able to regroup in the last match, out-hitting Loyola in all three games of the match. Leading the way in the last match was senior Rachel Gerling with 15 kills on a career-high 44 attempts and sophomore Annie Moddrell with eight block assists. Gerling and Moddrell were named to the all-tournament team for the second consecutive tournament. \n"Rachel Gerling has been great, she has really been all over the place," head coach Katie Weismiller said.\nIn the first match, IU got as close as it would, getting edged 28-30 in the first game. For the next two, the Hoosiers were held in check by a stingy Oklahoma defense that held IU to a .095 hitting percentage. \nThings didn't get any easier for the Hoosiers in the second match as they were out-hit again, .261 to .223. The IU attack was again held in check by the Crimson Tide defense, which racked up 71 digs to the Hoosiers' 47. IU again lost a close first game, 29-31, and after losing the second game by nine, lost another close game 35-37.\n"They played great defense, they really dug a lot of balls," Weismiller said. \nThe Hoosiers improved their season record to 2-3 by winning their last match of the tournament against Loyola-Chicago. IU held Loyola to a .131 hitting percentage, while also blocking 32 balls to Loyola's 14. IU also came up with 53 digs. The Hoosiers scored a school -record 39 points in the third game of the match, a game that had 19 ties and nine lead changes. Loyola fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss.\n"Ball handling hurt us in the first match," Gerling said. "We got it cleaned up, won some long rallies, and that helped boost our confidence."\nThe Hoosiers head to Rock Hill, S.C., next weekend to take part in the Winthrop \nInvitational.