IU wraps up road games this weekend at Illinois, Northwestern

The IU volleyball team is set to play its last road series of the season against Illinois and Northwestern in hopes of grabbing two victories in a season during which wins have eluded the team. The Hoosiers will challenge Illinois at 8 p.m. today in Champaign, Ill., and Northwestern at 8 p.m. Saturday in Evanston, Ill.\nThe Hoosiers, who currently sit in last place in the Big Ten, will head into the weekend at 10-18 overall and 1-15 in conference play. Illinois and Northwestern are near the bottom of the conference too: The Fighting Illini are 14-12 overall and 5-11 in the conference, while the Wildcats are 13-12 overall and 7-9 in the Big Ten.\nNearly a month ago, the Hoosiers faced Northwestern and Illinois at University Gym. IU lost both matches three games to one. Since the Fighting Illini were the second and final match of that particular weekend, Illinois ranks as the last squad IU won a game against this season. The Hoosiers haven't won a game in their last six matches. IU coach Katie Weismiller said to be able to win this weekend and future matches this season, the Hoosiers would need to figure out how to sustain any momentum gained from winning or competing well in a game and carrying that on for the entire match.\n"The key right now is to be able to push through," Weismiller said. "We need to work on how to build and maintain momentum."\nBesides working on figuring out how to play strong and carry momentum throughout a match, the Hoosiers said the focus for practice has been on both the offense and the defense to prepare for the matches against the Fighting Illini and the Wildcats in the Land of Lincoln.\n"We are certainly working on our offense," Weismiller said. "Yesterday (Monday) was all defense, and today (Tuesday) we will be working on our offense and connections with our setters."\nWeismiller said a victory on the road this weekend would be important for the squad to finish on a high note this season on the road.\n"It would be huge to get wins," Weismiller said. "They are two teams we could certainly knock off this weekend."\nPerhaps more important than preparing for the technical aspects of volleyball or focusing on the importance of beating the Fighting Illini or Wildcats is finding motivation within one's self.\n"I think at this point in the season you have to believe in yourself," senior defensive specialist Sara Diehl said.