IU volleyball looks to open Big Ten season strong over the weekend with matches at Iowa, No. 12 Minnesota

The IU volleyball team spent the first part of their season testing themselves against some of the best competition they could find, playing in a total of four preseason tournaments. Now they get to start over, as it is time for Big Ten play.\nThe conference is one of the country’s best, sporting five teams currently ranked in the top 25. The Hoosiers have their work cut out for them.\nIU will begin Big Ten play with two away matches this weekend against Iowa and No. 12 Minnesota. IU coach Sherry Dunbar said she what’s coming with the start of Big Ten play. \n“We know the conference is strong,” she said. “But right now, everyone is 0-0 in the same boat, and if we play like we do in practice, we can compete at a \nhigh level.” \nIU leads the Big Ten in one area that Dunbar feels is crucial: service aces. \n“This has been a huge priority for us since the beginning of the season,” she said. “We have to serve tough, we can take teams out of their rhythm this way.” \nThe Hoosiers will kick off their Big Ten schedule as they travel to Iowa City on Friday to face an 8-3 Hawkeyes squad. Iowa proved it could defend its home court last weekend as the team claimed the Hawkeye-Holiday Inn Challenge championship. Coming off of a tough loss to then-No.23 St. Johns, IU will look to get back on the winning track and against Iowa. \nFreshman middle blocker Ashley Benson feels the more experienced players on the team will be able to aid the freshmen to compete well against Big Ten teams and develop a winning mentality. \n“The seniors and returnees are with us (freshmen) 100 percent,” she said. “We have great friendships, and they help us know what we are to do.” \nSaturday will be the only day of the weekend where the Hoosiers will not be competing again as they pick up their schedule again on Sunday to face an impressive Minnesota squad. \nThe Golden Gophers finished 17-3 in the Big Ten last year, placing second overall and making it all the way to the Elite Eight of the 2006 NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual national champion Nebraska. The three losses Minnesota has this year have all come against ranked opponents. \nFreshman middle blocker Taylor Wittmer knows Big Ten competition will be different and feels that coming out of this weekend with at least one win will be important to the Hoosiers’ confidence. \n“I definitely expect it to be bigger, faster and stronger than preseason challengers,” she said. “We’ve watched film and done our scouting reports. Being prepared boosts our confidence.”\nDunbar stressed to her players that they should have an aggressive mentality and have fun as they enter a difficult stretch. \n“If our team is having fun, we will feel more comfortable and play well,” she said.