Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Michigan
Hoosiers Drop Big Ten Opener Vs. #8 Michigan
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2009
Final Stats
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team (11-4, 0-1) dropped their Big Ten opener Friday night, falling to No. 8 Michigan (13-1, 1-0) by scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-23. Ashley Benson was nothing but spectacular, however, racking up 12 kills while hitting .571 to go along with four blocks and five digs.
Benson did not commit an error all night long, connecting for the aforementioned 12 kills on 21 errorless swings. Jordan Haverly compiled double-digit kills as well, putting away 10 attacks. Freshman Whitney Granado had arguably the best defensive effort of her young Hoosier career, digging a career-high 12 balls in the match. Kecli Marschall gave the Hoosiers an offensive kick in sets two and three, connecting on five kills.
Benson took on a heavy workload in the opening set, receiving 11 sets and finishing off four of them for kills. The Hoosiers fought with Michigan tooth-and-nail for most of the set before a late surge by the Wolverines resulted in a 25-17 UM set victory.
The second set was very similar in the fact that the only offensive production for the Hoosiers was coming from the right arm of number 10, Ashley Benson. The Bloomington, Ind., native hammered home five more kills on just six swings. It was not enough though as Michigan rode an early to the 25-16 final tally.
Indiana emerged from the locker room an inspired group, and it showed. Coach Dunbar began to get some offensive contributions from the rest of her squad early on. Marschall was the prime example as she tallied three kills in the third set. Haverly stepped up her game as well in the third frame, recording six terminations. Her fifth kill of the set put IU ahead by two points, 19-17, in the late stages.
Michigan was then able to turn the tide, nabbing the next three points and gaining a one-point advantage that they would not relinquish en route to a 25-23 clincher.
The Cream and Crimson return to University Gym Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. showdown with No. 16 Michigan State (12-1, 0-1).
