IU splits Michigan matches to open Big Ten

On its second try, the IU volleyball team accomplished something this weekend that took seven tries last season: It won a conference match.\nThe Hoosiers dropped their Big Ten opener Friday to Michigan State University in four games (29-31, 30-23, 22-30, 24-30) before evening up their conference record at 1-1 with a five-game victory over the University of Michigan (27-30, 30-22, 18-30, 30-27, 15-12). IU won only two conference games all last year.\nIU head coach Katie Weismiller was happy with her squad's play against the Spartans, despite the fact they ended up dropping the match. The Hoosiers' blocking, which eluded them in the first game, helped them salvage one game and remain in the match. Weismiller called the Michigan State match a roller coaster ride, especially defensively. \n"Unfortunately, we did the roller coaster thing," Weismiller said. "Michigan State did a nice job. They ran a nice offense at us, and we didn't seem to have the blocks tonight like we usually do."\nMichigan State outhit the Hoosiers 24 percent to 16 percent, and IU trailed the Spartans in every category in the box score except block assists, which IU led 20 to 14.\nThe Hoosiers salvaged a split with the two teams by playing more consistently and dropping Michigan in a five-game match Saturday. They improved their record to 7-6 with the victory. \n"We were more consistent. We fought throughout the entire time," Weismiller said. "The most important thing was that everybody stepped up at different times." \nIU dropped the first game of the match before getting the defense back on track in the second, holding the Wolverines to a .022 hitting percentage, and evening the match at a game apiece. \n"Our block was set up well," senior Mandy Eberle said. "We communicated a lot and we switched up our defense tonight. We just did a great job talking."\nThe Hoosiers dropped the third game before rallying to take the last two games and the match. IU won despite being outhit in the match .191 to .222. The defense stepped up with 16 team blocks and held down Michigan outside hitter Katie Bruzdzinski when it counted, Weismiller said. \nThe offense did just enough to win the match for IU, led by freshman Erica Short and her team-leading 22 kills. The opportunistic Short found holes in the Michigan defense with more finesse than usual, tipping many balls over for the kill.\n"We can always tell where spots are open, so we just tip it over," Short said.\nIU will continue its six-game homestand with a match against Evansville Tuesday night with the confidence of a Big Ten win already under its belt. \n"It's huge for us to get some confidence," Weismiller said. "Now we know we can play, compete and win in the Big Ten. That's huge for us"