IU hopes to end 4-game slide

The Iowa and IU volleyball squads are both playing for something Friday night. No, not for Big Ten supremacy but for both to end four-game losing streaks and gain some momentum for the rest of the season.\nThe Hawkeyes will be searching for their first Big Ten win of the season at 7 p.m. Friday night at home in Iowa City, Iowa. They are 0-4 in conference play. IU, who is 1-4 in the Big Ten, says it is not going to take Iowa lightly, even though the Hoosiers have had a schedule laden with nationally ranked opponents.\n"That (schedule) doesn't make it easier to face Iowa. They can play with anyone," IU coach Katie Weismiller said.\nWeismiller thinks Iowa will be a tough opponent because they can challenge the Hoosiers in many areas, especially defensively. \n"Iowa is a scrappy team. They will hit a lot of shots," said Weismiller. "We have to have one of our best defensive efforts."\nIf the Hoosiers allow the Hawkeyes to expose them defensively, it could be difficult for the Hoosiers to recover because they said their defense is the phase of the game that needs the most improvement. IU has been working on different aspects of its defense all week long.\n"Right now, our biggest weakness is the defense," sophomore outside hitter Emily Zulauf said. "We have really been working on our passing and blocking. In order for our offense to run smoothly, we have to have a good defense."\nThis week has been different for the Hoosiers scheduling-wise, which could affect them tonight. Instead of spending the week preparing for two squads to play on consecutive nights, the IU women's volleyball team played Purdue Wednesday, which changed up the squad's practice schedule. IU spent the beginning portion of the week preparing for the Boilermakers and has spent the second half of the week, especially all of Thursday, focusing solely on the Hawkeyes.\n"We look at it as it will help us," junior outside hitter Gabrielle Allison said. "We can find weaknesses on Wednesday and perfect them for Iowa."\nWhile the Hoosiers will try to take advantage of the fact that they had more practice time to focus on Iowa due to the mid-week match, Weismiller said it will take a special performance to defeat Iowa on their home court.\n"We have to play one of our best matches against Iowa." said Weismiller.