Facing a long Big Ten season, Indiana has encountered challenges, particularly when senior setter Camryn Haworth and junior outside hitter Avry Tatum sat out against Wisconsin on Oct. 24 due to them being “banged up.”
Against Iowa on Thursday, Tatum saw limited action as she was missing from the starting lineup. The Hawkeyes capitalized on her absence, sweeping the Hoosiers, who now sit below .500.
Tatum only played in the first set and recorded only one kill on seven attempts –– three of which resulted in errors. Senior outside hitter Mady Saris stepped up, leading Indiana with 13 kills, but she was the only Hoosier to find success at the net. Every other player, except junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who recorded eight kills, finished with four or fewer.
Iowa relied on a concise rotation, with just seven players seeing court time. Each player played a crucial role in the Hawkeyes' success at the net, where effective ball distribution led to five players recording seven or more kills.
With Iowa distributing the ball effectively, Indiana struggled to block the Hawkeyes’ attacks, recording just three team blocks. The Hoosiers were on a streak of eight or more blocks per match since Oct. 24.
The Hawkeyes also leaned on their skills at the net late in the match. While the Hoosiers battled for much of each set, Iowa took control with a 10-4 run in the first set and a 7-3 run in the third set, ultimately completing the sweep.
One area where Indiana competed with Iowa was behind the service line. The Hoosiers recorded eight aces, with graduate student defensive specialist Delaynie Maple contributing three. However, the Hawkeyes also proved to be a challenge behind the line, tallying seven aces of their own.
Indiana’s loss to Iowa reflects ongoing challenges on the road this Big Ten season. The Hoosiers’ only wins so far came against Rutgers on Nov. 1 and Maryland on Nov. 2.
Indiana’s next match will be against No. 2 Nebraska at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The contest can be viewed on the Big Ten Network.
Follow reporter Parker Rodgers (@parrod153) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
