After momentum slipped away from Indiana volleyball Sunday against Ohio State, the Hoosiers look to end the season on a high note hosting Michigan on Wednesday in Wilkinson Hall, followed by Illinois on Friday for the final two games of the season.
Michigan is the last of 18 Big Ten opponents Indiana will face this season. The Wolverines are currently 17-12 overall and 7-11 in conference play, just one game ahead of the Hoosiers who rank 13th. Both teams have had similar results in conference play, as neither team has taken down a ranked opponent in the Big Ten. However, the two teams have typically held their own against teams in the bottom half of the conference.
Even with a below .500 record in conference play, the Wolverines excel on the offensive end. Michigan ranks third in the Big Ten with 1,426 kills, just behind Penn State and Purdue by fewer than 100 kills.
Sophomore setter Morgan Burke has played a significant role in the Wolverines success at distributing the ball to the hitters, as she ranks fourth in the conference with 1,077 assists. As a team, Michigan is second in the conference with 1,334 assists.
Conversely, Michigan has struggled defensively in the conference. It ranks next to last in blocks, just behind UCLA. And when Indiana played the Bruins on Nov. 22, junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles took advantage of the weak defense up at the net, notching 20 kills.
The Hoosiers final contest of the season will be against Illinois, a team Indiana has already faced this season in Champaign, Illinois. Last time these two teams met Oct. 16, the Hoosiers fell to the Illini’s crunch-time offense in three sets.
Illinois is currently 10-8 in the conference, placing it at eighth. A crucial win since its last matchup with Indiana came when Illinois defeated then-No. 20 USC in five sets, proving it can compete with top-25 teams.
For Indiana to defeat Illinois, it must prevent the Illini's offense from dominating as it did earlier this season. Graduate student outside hitter Raina Terry and junior outside hitter Averie Hernandez led the way at the net in the last match with 16 and 12 kills, respectively.
Indiana’s match against Illinois will also serve as senior night, honoring seven seniors. It will be senior setter Camryn Haworth’s final match, capping a career in which she became the Hoosiers’ all-time leader in aces and the rally-era assists record holder.
The match against Michigan will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and the contest against Illinois will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in Wilkinson Hall. Both matches can be viewed on Big Ten +.
Follow reporter Parker Rodgers (@parrod153) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
