Volleyball team's season ends in straight-set loss to USC

The 2010 season marked IU volleyball’s first time returning an All-American, its first time defeating Penn State and its first time advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

On Friday, however, the season of firsts came to an end.

No. 6 seed USC ended the Hoosiers’ tournament run in the third round in Dayton, Ohio, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-18, 25-21 and 25-20.

The Hoosiers finished 23-12, recording the most single-season wins since 1979.

Although the first set was not close — IU never led — the next two frames were.

IU coach Sherry Dunbar said the team became better after the first set.

“Deer in the headlights in that first set, but I think we got more aggressive,” Dunbar said.

The second game had three lead changes, but the Hoosiers fell behind in the last change at the 17-17 mark. The Trojans captured eight of the next 12 points to go up two sets to none.

In the final set, the two teams were tied at 15-15, but USC went on a 5-0 run, and IU wasn’t able to catch up afterward.

Dunbar said blocking would be vital on the Wednesday before the match, and it was. USC recorded eight total team blocks to the Hoosiers’ six.

“They are big, they are strong, they play in a conference that they could set high to hit over us,” IU senior middle blocker Ashley Benson said.

Benson recorded 13 kills, which tied for the match high with USC junior outside hitter Alex Jupiter.

The 2009 All-American also had three blocks and three assists in the match.

“You look at her, and she’s one of the best players in the country,” Dunbar said of Benson. “She just loves this school so much, and to have our young players see that and be that unselfish ... you can’t buy that.”

The Hoosiers’ season kills leader, sophomore outside hitter Jordan Haverly, put up nine kills of her own.

Junior setter Mary Chaudoin dished out 18 assists, and Cox led digs with 14. 

The Trojans led in every major category except digs. IU dug 46 hits to USC’s 44.

“It just came down to scrappiness and grittiness out on the court,” junior libero Caitlin Cox said.

Dunbar agreed.

“I think when we don’t have horses like USC ... you have to have that fight,” Dunbar said. “I never felt like we lost that fight.”

Dunbar said although the Hoosiers lost in the third round, this season set the standard of where they would like to be in the future.

“To get to the Sweet 16 is something we want to continue as a tradition every year,” Dunbar said.