Hoosiers slip to 1-5 in Big Ten with weekend losses to Iowa, Minnesota

After taking a step forward last weekend, the IU volleyball team took two steps back this weekend.

The step forward – when IU recorded its first Big Ten win against Michigan State and ended the Spartans’ 10-game winning streak Oct. 3. The steps back – this past weekend in its most recent matches, as IU suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 12 Minnesota on Friday and fell to Iowa 3-2 on Saturday.

The Iowa match was particularly heart-breaking, as the Hoosiers led 2-1 before losing the final two games. In the fifth game, IU led as late as 11-9 before ultimately losing 15-12.

Junior outside hitter Kelsey Hall said the Hoosiers are searching for answers right now.

“I don’t think we can finish matches right now, and we don’t know why,” Hall said.

Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Wittmer said the Iowa match was a contest the Hoosiers had to have, but they let it slip away.

“We had the match won,” Wittmer said. “This is a match we needed, and we couldn’t finish it.”

With the losses, the Hoosiers slip to 1-5 in the Big Ten and 9-9 overall. Also, their chances of going to the postseason appear to be in jeopardy, as a team must finish at .500 or better in conference play to be considered for the NCAA Tournament.

IU returns to action Friday against Ohio State in what figures to be a winnable match if the Hoosiers can play up to their potential.

The Buckeyes are currently struggling and, like the Hoosiers, sit at 1-5 in the Big Ten.
 
The Hoosiers will have the added benefit of playing in front of what should be the largest crowd of the year at Assembly Hall, as they are the appetizer to Hoosier Hysteria on Friday night.

Wittmer said she thinks the Hoosiers have to play with attitude and look to the future if they want to have a chance in the Ohio State game.

“We have to go into the match and know we can win it,” she said. “We also must put the past games behind us.”