Tough schedule ahead for Hoosiers this season

The start of another Big Ten season is barreling down on the IU volleyball team, and it holds 11 squads -- five of which are ranked in the top 25 nationally.\n"We are definitely prepared," sophomore defensive specialist Kari Morgenstein said. "We have played for a month and have worked hard to prepare for the Big Ten."\nIn that month of preseason, the Hoosiers have faced ranked opponents, such as then-No. 22 Louisiana State University, which is the type of opponent they will face throughout the Big Ten season. Members of the team say going through this type of preseason schedule and playing a team like LSU will make them better.\n"A nice thing about preseason is we work out kinks in the team. We get to see where we are," Morgenstein said. "Losing to LSU was a learning experience."\nThe teams from the Big Ten in the national top 25 include No. 2 Penn State, No. 9 Wisconsin, No. 16 Purdue, No. 22 Minnesota and No. 23 Ohio State. \nEven though the Big Ten schedule is laced with top-tier teams, familiarity with opponents is something that might help the Hoosiers in the long run. \n"We usually know what is going to happen in scouting since we play each team twice a year," said Carrie Deal, sophomore middle blocker and outside hitter.\nThe Hoosiers might think familiarity breeds contempt -- or at least a little extra intensity -- since IU coach Katie Weismiller said the stakes are raised a little higher in Big Ten play.\n"I think that every time you are in the Big Ten conference, the intensity picks up anyway," Weismiller said. "When the Big Ten starts, it is a second season. We want to get better from a player and coach perspective, so the intensity goes up."\nAs the Hoosiers start the "second season" and the intensity increases, the team has circled a couple matches of interest that could be large and meaningful wins.\nMorgenstein said Purdue is a team at the top of the list for the Hoosiers to beat because of the rivalry between the schools. Weismiller has marked the No. 2 team in the nation Penn State as the victory that she most wants to have in conference play.\n"I think you have to look at PSU," Weismiller said. "To beat them for the first time would be so rewarding."\nWhatever happens in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers said they have each other's backs. Team unity seems to be important to all of the players and coaches.\n"I think a good strength of ours is good team chemistry," Morgenstein said. "We hang out on the weekends."\nSince every team wins and loses, it is psychologically important to have team members who support each other through thick and thin to help pull through a tough and grueling season, the women said.\n"We pick each other up when they need it," Deal said.