IU volleyball readies for a pair of home Big Ten matches

This weekend, the IU volleyball team will face both Michigan State and Northwestern, two teams situated at the lower end of the Big Ten standings. Friday at 7 p.m., IU will have the pleasure of opening Hoosier Hysteria as they will take on the Spartans at Assembly Hall.\nCoach Sherry Dunbar said she feels this is a great opportunity to show basketball fans what the volleyball team is all about.\n“This is huge,” she said. “I tell the players that their first impression is important ,and that it’s not just about winning or losing, it’s also about what you can do on the court.”\nSenior defensive specialist Juli Pierce is thrilled to be playing at Hoosier Hysteria in her final year as a Hoosier.\n“I cannot wait,” she said. “I am so excited. This is going to be the biggest home crowd.”\nThe Spartans (10-8, 1-5) come to Bloomington leading the all-time series 36-25, and Michigan State has two players with over 250 kills on the season. \nSenior outside hitters Ashley Schatzle and Katie Johnson have combined for 508 of Michigan State’s 967 kills this season, and Dunbar said she is aware of what they can do.\n“When they’re in system, they’re a very tough team,” she said. “We have to serve tough, be able to work our offense and use the home court to our advantage.”\nAlthough their record is not excellent, the Spartans know tough competition, having already faced five ranked opponents.\nNorthwestern (10-7, 1-5) will be IU’s Saturday opponent, as the Wildcats come to town for a 7 p.m. contest at “Jam the Gym.”\nThe University Gym will host middle and high school students from all over the state, who will watch the game for free.\nSimilar to Michigan State, the Wildcats have had some trouble in the conference schedule. Northwestern is currently on a five-game losing streak after starting the season 10-2. \nThe Hoosiers have been practicing some important skills this week, which freshman middle blocker Ashley Benson said she feels are keys to winning this weekend.\n“The theme in practice this week has been intensity,” she said. “Also making sure our attitude is right, having fun and having enthusiasm.”\nDunbar said she was disappointed with the lack of intensity from her players in their match against No. 9 Wisconsin, and that practices this week have been a learning experience.\n“We’ve been concentrating (on intensity) a lot in practice,” she said. “They are still learning how to read and how to react. The more we do in practice, the more comfortable we will feel in games.”\nDunbar said she believes this weekend is full of opportunity to show the home crowd what her team is trying to accomplish this season. She said the best way to do that is by playing to the best of their abilities.\n“We’re going to give them the best showing we can,” Dunbar said.