Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Ohio State
Volleyball Spikes Buckeyes, 3-1 Win
9/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team came up with a big win over Ohio State Saturday night at University Gym. Indiana improves to 11-5 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten with the win. Junior Erica Short racked up 27 kills while hitting .400 in the four-game match in front of a raucous crowd.
"It was exciting to have that kind of crowd," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "I think the crowd will come back because these girls play hard, play with intensity and that's what people want to see."
"I was really proud of them for maintaining the intensity they had last night," said Dunbar. "I told them that if they did that, they were going to have a huge opportunity tonight."
Senior Lauren Ditteon recorded her sixth double-double of the season, recording 16 kills and 10 digs. The Terre Haute native also chipped in three blocks, two assists, two service aces and a .419 hitting efficiency. Freshman Mara Hilgenberg averaged 15 assists per game with a match total of 60 helpers. Freshman Taylor Wittmer also contributed to the Hoosiers' .315 team hitting percentage by connecting on 10 kills with just two errors on 18 swings (.444).
Indiana jumped all over the Buckeyes in game one, surging out to a 10-2 lead. Short pounded out eight kills in the opening act alone. IU stuffed the Buckeye offensive attack, tallying 5.5 team blocks in the 30-19 game-one victory.
"I thought Erica [Short] had a great night, not only was she swinging great but she dug some balls and passed the ball well," said Dunbar. "We needed her to do that tonight in order to be successful."
It was Ditteon who led the way in game two as she was nearly perfect with eight kills on nine swings for an .889 hitting efficiency. The Cream and Crimson recorded 20 terminations in the second stanza with Hilgenberg setting up 17 of those kills. The score remained tight at 15-13 before the Hoosiers notched seven consecutive points for the 22-13 advantage. In the end, Indiana won the game 30-18.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes responded in game three and held the Hoosiers to a .128 hitting efficiency. Ohio State was able to make a big run at the end of the game to take a 30-25 win.
Game three proved to be just an aberration, however, and the Hoosiers bounced back with a .464 hitting percentage in game four. Short led the way by adding seven more kills to her total. IU held a 15-6 lead mid-way through the contest, then continued to roll in the 30-20 clincher.
"I am just really proud of this team, this program has taken a step forward," said Dunbar. "Our challenge now is to maintain what we did tonight."
Indiana hops back on the plane for next weekend's action at Illinois and at Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday night.
Players Mentioned
