Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Missouri State
Hoosier Comeback Falls Short Versus Missouri State
8/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Indiana University volleyball team has completed the first of two Saturday matches, dropping a 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21) decision to perennial NCAA Tournament team Missouri State.
The offense was running on all cylinders as Indiana hit .307 as a team and tallied 71 kills compared to Missouri State's 54 put-aways. Erica Short and Kelsey Hall led the charge for IU, each matching personal career-highs in kills. Short blasted 28 winners on 51 attempts with just five errors for a .451 hitting efficiency while Hall posted 19 kills at a .342 pace. Defensively, the Hoosiers were led by Ashley Benson and her six blocks, two solo. Sophomore transfer Hayley Koetter did a nice job setting for Indiana, totaling a match-high 42 assists.
"With 71 kills, we didn't have much trouble getting kills," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "We just struggled to get them at the right time, the crucial times."
Indiana seized the first four points of the match, three coming via Hoosier kills. For the second straight match, Short connected for the kill on each of her first three swings of the day. An experienced Missouri State team would not crumble after the early deficit, however. The score was deadlocked at 24-24 late in the set when back-to-back kills by MSU's Addie Foley handed the Bears an early 1-0 lead in the match. Missouri State was then able to string together several runs in the second stanza, including a stretch that included six straight points, to take the second set as well.
A switch in the line-up coming of the locker room that included freshman Lexie Woodson making her Hoosier debut did not bring immediate dividends as IU fell behind 10-4. By the time the third set was over, it was obvious the move was the correct one though. The insertion of Woodson allowed Short to move outside, where she pounded home a whopping 10 kills in that set alone. Woodson also contributed in the middle by picking up her first career to go along with a pair of blocks.
"I like line-up we had in at the end," said Dunbar. "I thought Lexie (Woodson) did a really nice job for us as a freshman stepping into her first match. I am really proud of her for that."
The Hoosiers were able to erase three different six-point deficits in the 25-21 winner. In fitting fashion, Short closed the set with a bullet down the line for the kill.
Set number four saw the Hoosiers dig themselves a deep whole once again, trailing 9-15. It was Short once again sparking the Hoosier comeback, stroking three kills en route to Indiana nearly evening the score at 14-15 with a five-point run of their own. Several very long rallies that ended in favor of the Bears followed, seeming to take the air out of the Hoosier sails in the 25-21 defeat.
Indiana is back in action later this evening, taking on the University of San Francisco Dons at 8 p.m. eastern time. Follow along all the action with live audio available right here at IUHoosiers.com. Matt Taylor will bring you all of tonight's play-by-play commentary.
Players Mentioned
