Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Tops Hoosiers in Fifth Set
10/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 18, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Despite a statistically superior effort by Indiana on Sunday, the Hoosiers fell short in a five-set defeat by the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers (25-20, 15-25, 25-22, 17-25, 15-11). Indiana moves to 14-8 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten while the Badgers now sit at 9-8, 4-4.
Freshman Samantha Thrower played spectacularly, hitting .368 with 10 kills and a career-high seven blocks. Ashley Benson garnered the most Hoosier points with 17 kills and seven blocks (two solo). Jordan Haverly posted her seventh double-double of the season, compiling 16 kills and 14 digs. For the second consecutive match, Laura Matula fired four service aces.
The Hoosiers out-hit Wisconsin, .230 to .157, out-blocked them, 16.5 to 14.0, out-aced them, 7-6 and recorded three more kills.
Following an opening-set loss, 25-20, Indiana built a defensive wall in set number two. The Hoosiers clogged the Wisconsin offensive attack with 8.5 blocks, forcing the Badgers to hit -.194 for the set. Indiana never trailed after Whitney Granado put IU up 1-0 with a service ace. Benson and Kelci Marschall combined for seven kills at a .500 hitting pace. Four different Hoosiers tallied three rejections en route to a 25-15 win.
The pendulum swung back in favor of Wisconsin for the third set. Benson belted six kills in the frame, but it was not enough as UW grabbed a 25-22 victory.
It was déjà vu in the fourth set as Indiana turned it on again and led the entire set. Paced by Haverly and her five kills, the Hoosiers hit .520 as a team. Benson, Thrower and Kelsey Hall each chipped in three kills as well. The offensive onslaught by IU was evenly guided by Granado and Mary Chaudoin, recording six and seven assists, respectively. A fifth set was needed to decide this one due to Indiana's 25-17 triumph.
Great defensive play in the backcourt gave Indiana a chance to pull off the fifth set. The Cream and Crimson dug 14 balls in the truncated 15-point set. A block by Benson and Hall evened the score at 9-9 before a three-point run by UW gave the Badgers a 12-9 advantage. Play resumed after an Indiana timeout, and Benson annihilated her first swing to cut the deficit to two points. Wisconsin responded with the next two points, however, and earned a 15-11 win in the end.
Indiana is on the road next weekend, playing at Penn State and Ohio State. The Hoosiers' Friday night match at Penn State will be broadcast live on ESPNU at 8 p.m.
