After starting conference play 1-9, IU volleyball began its 10 remaining Big Ten games with a two-day, two-game road trip.
Friday night's game was at Maryland and Saturday night's game was at Ohio State.
However, IU's struggles from the first half of conference play continued as the Hoosiers lost both matches.
In the match against the Terrapins, IU was at least able to take a set.
It was the third set, though, so the Hoosiers were already facing another Big Ten loss after going down two sets to none.
In the fourth set, IU hit its best hitting percentage in a set this season at .407. Even that couldn’t force a fifth set, as Maryland hit .343 with 17 kills to win the set 25-20, and the match 3-1.
Junior right side hitter Elizabeth Asdell led IU in kills with 15 on a hitting percentage of .464. Sophomore outside hitter Kendall Beerman recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 13 digs.
In other categories, sophomore setter Victoria Brisack had 48 assists, and freshman defensive specialist Nora Meehan dug out 12 balls.
The stats were there for the Hoosiers, just not the results.
The next night in Columbus, Ohio, was a tough one for the Hoosiers.
The Buckeyes hit .414 with 16 kills to win the first set 25-17.
IU started strong in the second set, jumping out to a 10-5 lead. The Hoosiers extended that to 20-15, but closing out sets has been a struggle for IU all season long.
Ohio State tied the set up at 25. The two teams exchanged points until it was 28-28, when sophomore Ally Badowski had an attack error, giving the Buckeyes a set point. Ohio State senior outside hitter Ashley Wenz recorded a kill to give her a team a 2-0 advantage in the match.
The Hoosiers started well in the third set, leading 5-1 and then 12-7. A 5-0 run by the Buckeyes tied the set up at 12. IU was able to hang with the Buckeyes for most of the set until the very end, as Ohio State won the match 25-21.
IU now has a 12-12 record on the season with a 1-11 record in conference play. The Hoosiers have eight games remaining with four being on the road and four at home.
Dylan Wallace
