Volleyball falls to 0-4 in Big Ten play

The IU volleyball team (12-4, 0-4) went to Iowa City with hopes to get their first Big Ten victory Friday, but lost in five sets.

The Hawkeyes won by scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 19-25 and 17-15.

“We’ve got to learn to find a way to win, it’s as simple as that,” IU coach Sherry Dunbar said.

Senior middle blocker Becky Walters led Iowa with 19 kills.

IU senior middle blocker Ashley Benson posted 18 kills for the Hoosiers, but it wasn’t enough.

“The communication on the court needs to get better,” sophomore right-side hitter Kelci Marschall said.

On Sunday, the Hoosiers traveled to Minnesota and lost to the Golden Gophers in three sets by counts of 25-19, 25-21 and 25-20.

It was IU’s first three-set loss of the season.

Benson was out for Sunday’s match with concussion-like symptoms she sustained during the team’s Saturday practice.

“She brings a different element to our team, both offensively and defensively,” Dunbar said. “She is so dynamic, and we missed her play today.”

Senior middle blocker Taylor Wittmer agreed that the team missed Benson.

“She’s a great player, and we definitely could have used her,” Wittmer said. “But we can’t use that as an excuse, and we need to find a way to win with the six players we have on the court.”

Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Haverly led the Hoosiers against Minnesota with 12 kills.

The Hoosiers weren’t able to stop Minnesota outside hitters Tabitha Love and Ashley Wittman, who led the Golden Gophers with 16 and 10 kills, respectively.

IU returns to University Gym this weekend, playing host to Ohio State on Friday and No. 4 Penn State on Saturday.