Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Robert Morris
Two Matches, Two Wins for IU Volleyball on Friday
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2010
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Indiana University volleyball team improved to 8-0 with a pair of 3-0 sweeps on the opening day of the Niagara/Canisius Tournament held in Buffalo. The Hoosiers topped Robert Morris (25-16, 25-21, 26-24) first before disposing of Colgate in the nightcap (25-20, 25-10, 25-17). It marks the first time since 1999 in which Indiana started a season with eight straight victories.
"We did a good job controlling the tempo tonight," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "We did much better in terms of simply playing Indiana volleyball and not worrying about the other team."
Ashley Benson picked up a total of 25 kills while swinging at a .488 efficiency in the back-to-back Hoosier wins. Jordan Haverly matched her 25 put-aways and added 15 digs and four aces.
The Hoosier blocking effort was key in the back-to-back victories as Indiana averaged 2.83 stuffs per set. Mary Chaudoin was a stonewall in the front court, pacing the Hoosiers with 10 rejections. Freshman Caitlin Hansen is off to the best weekend of her young Hoosier career, leading the team with 3.67 digs per set on Friday.
"Our energy and communication was more consistent in the evening match," said Coach Dunbar.
Indiana `s offensive attack was much smoother in the evening match, hitting .344 (43-11-93) against the Red Raiders. Four different Hoosiers connected on five or more kills in that match. As a team, the Hoosiers tallied 12 blocks in the three-set sweep.
Colgate held a two-point lead at 18-16 in the first set before the Hoosiers broke out of their funk and rattled off nine of the next 11 points to earn the 25-20 winner. From there it was all Cream and Crimson, holding Colgate to just 27 points in the final two sets combined (25-10, 25-17).
Saturday presents two more matches with IU playing at Niagara in a noon showdown before heading over to the campus of Canisuis College for a 6 p.m. meeting with the Bucknell Bison.
Log on to IUHoosiers.com to get in the action. In addition to live statistics available for both matches, the voice of IU Volleyball Dave Leno will be on the call providing all the play-by-play.
