Hoosiers take first 2 matches, fall to Winthrop in championship

The IU volleyball team opened up strong at this weekend's Winthrop Invitational, winning its first two matches before dropping the championship match to host Winthrop University, 1-3 (29-31, 29-31, 30-22, 26-30).\nThe Hoosiers won their first match in a straight set victory over the University of North Florida (30-19, 30-21, 30-23), and the second match was a 3-1 victory over Furman University (30-25, 30-25, 22-30, 30-20).\nIU dominated early with strong defense and an efficient offensive attack, recording 97 digs and 23 team blocks in the first two matches combined. The defense helped to set up the offense each time, especially in the first match, when IU out hit North Florida in all three games.\nIn the first match, IU won in straight sets with a strong performance from senior outside hitter Rachel Gerling, who led the team with 12 kills in 21 attempts while committing only four errors, good enough for a .381 hitting percentage. Gerling also recorded seven digs, just behind match leader, freshman setter Laura Holm, who had nine.\n"Obviously, Rachel Gerling's line is tremendous," head coach Katie Weismiller said in a statement. "She definitely stepped it up for us tonight." \nThe Hoosiers recorded a higher hitting percentage than the Ospreys in every game, with the defense holding North Florida to a .047 hitting percentage for the match.\nIU was strong on defense again in the second match, recording 55 digs and 14 team blocks against Furman. The Hoosiers won the first two games handily, 30-25 each, before dropping the third game of the match, 22-30, to the Lady Paladins. IU was able to bounce back in the fourth game, winning 30-20, to clinch the victory.\n"Everyone was a bit frustrated after the third game," sophomore Annie Moddrell said in a statement. "We came back and refocused to get the job done. Our goal is to always sweep in three. We definitely want to get the game finished in four."\nIn the championship match, IU dropped the first two games in close contests, 29-31 each, despite fast starts on offense. The Hoosiers had a .425 hitting percentage in the first game, but it wasn't enough as Winthrop had seven more attack chances and hit .410. IU was able to rebound and win the third game thanks to a defense that held Winthrop to a .029 hitting percentage in the game, but the Hoosiers fell in the fourth game, 26-30, to drop the match and the championship. \nGerling and freshman outside hitter Erica Short were both named to the all-tournament team after play concluded. This was the third all-tournament recognition for Gerling this season. The loss in the final game dropped IU's record to 4-4 on the year. The Hoosiers will return to Bloomington next weekend for the T.I.S Bookstore Invitational.