Volleyball team heads north for weekend games

The IU volleyball team will face two very different teams this weekend on a road trip.

IU begins at Iowa (5-6, 0-2) on Friday and then travels to Minneapolis to take on No. 17 Minnesota (11-3, 1-1) on Sunday.

Freshman defensive specialist Melanie Hicks said the Hoosiers (12-2, 0-2) must focus on their own team.

“If we play our game and play how we want to play, then we are going to be fine,” Hicks said.

While the Hoosiers started 12-0 in non-conference play, they dropped their first two Big Ten games.

Both Big Ten losses went to four sets — IU won the first set in each before dropping the last three.

“I think we can’t get relaxed or comfortable because there are not any teams that you are just going to walk over in the Big Ten,” sophomore setter Whitney Granado said.

The Hawkeyes usually go with a 6-2 rotation utilizing two setters, a style different from most Big Ten teams.

IU’s Sunday opponent, the Golden Gophers, are coming off a Final Four appearance last season.

Minnesota’s statistical leaders are Tabi Love and Ashley Wittman, who have 198 and 176 kills, respectively.

“Minnesota is going to be a challenge, and we are going to have to bring it,” Granado said.

For the Hoosiers, the focus will be on team play.

“Communication has been pretty good in practice this week,” Dunbar said. “It has got to be a staple for us.”