Volleyball hopes to improve on 10-0 record

A goal for the volleyball team was to finish the season undefeated in non-conference play.

The Hoosiers (10-0) are two wins away from doing just that.

The team faces DePaul and Miami (OH) this Saturday in a the Miami (OH) tournament in Oxford, Ohio.

“The goal obviously is go to 12-0,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said. “We have to focus on finishing off this part of the season on a high note.”

Although a difficult feat to accomplish, IU has not only won 10 games, but has also won eight of them in three sets.

Sophomore right-side hitter Kelci Marschall said despite the unbeaten record, the team needs to maintain momentum.

“I think we need to focus on our on-side of the court and our fundamentals this weekend,” Marschall said.

The volleyball team is one of 14 remaining in the country with an umblemished record and is off to its best start since 1997.

The first opponent for the Hoosiers this weekend is DePaul, a team IU has not faced since 1981.

Four of nine DePaul matches have gone to five sets, and a longer match may benefit the Blue Demons. However, IU coach Sherry Dunbar is not worried.

“As the season has gone along we have become more balanced, and I think that has helped us a ton,” Dunbar said.

In the late game, the Hoosiers face Miami (OH) (4-6) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Red Hawks have already lost to two other Big Ten opponents — Ohio State and Michigan — both in three sets.

Junior outside hitter Amy Rasemen could lead the RedHawks to its first win against a Big Ten opponent, as she will be the toughest offensive player for IU to defend with 96 kills on the season.

The defense will need to stop Rasemen and the RedHawks offensive threats to set up offense.

“Our defensive players are taking a lot of balls, and that’s important because defense always gets the first touch,” Marschall said.