Hoosiers lose 2 out of 3 during weekend

Though they came into the Marriott Flyer Invitational with just one loss on the season, the Hoosiers dropped two of three matches in the weekend tournament at the University of Dayton.\n"We had very many bright spots this weekend," IU coach Katie Weismiller said. "There were times when we didn't play as well as we have."\nIU started the invitational by defeating Wake Forest University three games to two Friday behind a 20-kill performance from sophomore Erica Short, a career-best 18 kills by junior Annie Moddrell and nine kills apiece from juniors Laura Ditteon and Gabrielle Allison. \n"Annie played great, and so did Gabby, and Erica was a go-to player offensively as well," Weismiller said.\nSenior Sara Diehl led the defensive attack, recording 16 digs.\n"Sarah really picked it up defensively later in the match and played great," Weismiller said. "Wake Forest is a good team, and they did a nice job offensively, but our defense is definitely getting better, and that showed here." \nNo. 22 Louisiana State University shut out IU three games to none in the Hoosiers' first action Saturday. LSU outpaced the Hoosiers with Melody Clark's 17 kills and Kassi Mikulik's 14 digs. On IU's side of the net, Short led the team with 15 kills, while Diehl was the lead contributor defensively with nine digs. \nTo close out the Marriott Flyer Invitational Saturday night, Dayton shut out the Hoosiers three games to none. IU not only lost both matches, but also failed to pick up a single-game victory Saturday, losing all six. \nIn IU's loss to Dayton, Diehl led the team with 18 digs on defense. Short amassed double-digit kills in yet another match, with 18 to lead the offense and help earn her a spot on the All-Invitational Team, which was announced shortly after the match ended. \n"Dayton is a very good team," Weismiller said. "We played great in the first and third games, but their defense was great, and we just couldn't finish."\nThe Hoosiers must work to balance their offensive and defensive strategies each match, Weismiller said.\n"One match the offense is better, and one match the defense is better," Weismiller said. "In the Marshall match last week, we had it all together."\nThe Hoosiers will face Chattanooga at the IU Credit Union Invitational beginning Friday.