Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Penn State (Big Ten Network)
Top-Ranked Penn State Gets By Hoosiers
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 1, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Volleyball took on the nation's top team and defending national champion Nittany Lions of Penn State on Wednesday night inside University Gym. Indiana (8-7, 0-3) gave Penn State (15-0, 3-0) several scares before dropping a 3-0 decision.
The Hoosier offense ran rather smoothly considering Penn State entered the match holding their opponents to a dismal .069 hitting effiency. Indiana, however, connected on 31 kills while hitting .207, including a .346 pace in the second set. Taylor Wittmer led the way, hitting .400 (8-2-15) with eight kills. Defensively, Ashley Benson stepped up for the Cream and Crimson, racking up six blocks on the night. Benson's 1.57 blocks per set average is the fourth best in Division-I volleyball. Kelsey Hall did it all Wednesday night, stuffing the stat sheet with six kills, five digs and four blocks.
Indiana continued to improve throughout the match, earning more points as the sets went on, including a late lead in the third set. The set scores were 25-17, 25-18, 25-19.
Hall really came alive in the second set, pounding home four kills with no errors to go along with a pair of blocks. Benson also did her part at the net, picking up three rejections in the set. As a team, the Hoosiers attacked 26 times with just two errors for a .346 hitting percentage. Penn State's offense was hitting on all cylindars as well though, posting a .469 efficiency in their 25-18 win.
Indiana came out red-hot in the third set, nabbing seven of the first 10 points for a four-point advantage. The Hoosiers then fended off numerous Penn State comebacks until the Nittany Lions finally evened the score at 18-18. Trailing 18-16 and in danger of losing their first set all season long, Penn State struck four consecutive kills to give them the lead for good. The Nittany Lions have now won all 45 sets they've played this year.
The Cream and Crimson remain in Bloomington this weekend. On Friday night, Indiana is set to play Michigan State at 7 p.m. at University Gym. Live audio for the match is available right here at IUHoosiers.com.
