IU wins two matches at home in Hoosier Classic

The IU volleyball team finished its non-conference schedule this weekend, going 2-1 at home in the Hoosier Classic.

Indiana started the weekend on a sour note, losing to Valparaiso in five sets.

The Hoosiers took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-17, with .448 and .333 hitting percentages, respectively.

In the third set, the Hoosiers hit a match low .086 hitting percentage, including a match-high nine hitting errors, losing the set 25-19.

IU could not recover and fell in a fourth set 25-18 lowlighted by nine more hitting errors.

In the fifth and final set, the Crusaders won 15-12 and completed the come-from-behind victory.

IU looked to turn its fortune around Saturday as they welcomed Chattanooga into University Gym.

Led by 10 team aces, the Hoosiers defeated the Mocs in four sets.

The Hoosiers dominated the first two sets, winning 25-13 and 25-9. IU started the match with a .387 hitting percentage in the first set and .619 in the second.

In the second set, the Hoosiers had 13 kills with zero hitting errors.

Sophomore middle blocker Morgan Leach led the team in hitting percentage, going six for six in swings and a 1.000 hitting percentage.

In similar fashion to the previous night’s match, the Hoosiers had a -.065 hitting percentage in the third set. The set featured more hitting errors than kills for the Hoosiers for the first time this season. The Mocs took the set 25-18.

After a 9-9 tie in the fourth set, Indiana went on a 7-0 run, including forcing Chattanooga to take two timeouts to try to quell the Hoosier rally.

IU used that momentum to take the fourth and final set 25-14 to seal the victory.

In the evening portion of the tournament, the Hoosiers concluded by facing Miami (Ohio).

For the third straight match, IU jumped out to a 2-0 set lead but had trouble putting away its opponent.

After the RedHawks flew out to the quick 9-5 lead in the third set, Indiana went on a 10-2 run to take the match in straight sets 25-14, 25-10 and 25-22.

IU Coach Sherry Dunbar said she liked her team’s change in morale during the weekend.

“I think it was just our attitude,” Dunbar said. “And not worrying about if you’re up 2-0, you’re down 2-0, we said ‘Let’s just compete. Let’s enjoy the competition and try to get better.’”

Freshman outside hitter Amelia Anderson and senior middle blocker Samantha Thrower were selected to the all-tournament team.

The senior said she liked how her team changed its intensity in the final match of the weekend.

“We were working to push,” Thrower said. “Just keeping that intensity for the entire match, that’s what we were working on after the Valpo match, and that’s what we did tonight.”