Hoosiers welcome Illinois teams for weekend of rematches

Last Time:
IU lost on the road to Michigan State 3-1 and No. 22 Michigan 3-0 last week.

The Set-up:
This weekend will kick off a four-game home stand for the Hoosiers as they return to University Gym against Northwestern and Illinois on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Context:
In October, the Hoosiers were swept during their weekend road trip to Illinois, losing to then-No. 1 Illinois in four sets and to Northwestern in three.

Friday night against the Wildcats, IU will have to step up its defense. The team posted four team blocks in the first meeting with the Wildcats.

Saturday night, Illinois’ Colleen Ward and Michelle Bartsch lead the No. 5 Illini into Bloomington. Last time, Ward and Bartsch combined for 30 kills (14 and 16, respectively) and 22 digs (8 and 14) and Bartsch added five aces.

Defensively, good passing off serves and attacks will be the key against Illinois. Senior libero Caitlin Cox and sophomore defensive specialist Melanie Hicks will need to replicate their double-digit dig performance (13 and 10 digs) in the first meeting with the Illini.

Quote of the Week:
 “[The Illini] are young, very athletic and utilize their middles very well,” IU Coach Sherry Dunbar said. “When we played them, they were very, very aggressive, to the point that we were taken back by their aggressiveness. A lot of teams that have played have said the same things.”

Notable Number:
14. IU’s current losing streak.