Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Plays Midweek Match at Northwestern
10/13/1998 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
THIS WEEK -- The Hoosiers travel to Evanston, Ill., for a midweek match against Northwestern Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Indiana will also see action against No. 22 Minnesota this week when they travel to Minneapolis, Minn., for a 7 p.m., match Saturday, Oct. 17.
ABOUT THE HOOSIERS -- After cracking into the top-25 of the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll last week, the Hoosiers suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season last weekend, losing to Purdue (2-3) and Illinois (0-3). Indiana (10-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) is currently tied with Purdue for fifth place in the league standings. Four Hoosiers lead a balanced offensive attack, led by junior outside hitter Ryann Connors' 4.15 kills per game. Sophomore Amanda Welter follows Connors, averaging 3.08 kills per game while Jen Magelssen and Laura Mettes average 2.76 and 2.55 kills per game, respectively.
RECEIVING VOTES -- After entering the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll for just the second time in the program's history last week, the Hoosiers fell out of the poll with two weekend losses. However, Indiana received 13 votes in the poll this week - just three spots out of the top 25.
REGIONAL RANKINGS -- In the latest NCAA District 2 Regional rankings released Oct. 6, the Hoosiers were ranked fourth behind No. 2 Penn State, No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 18 Illinois. District 2 is made up of 41 teams from the Big Ten Conference, Mid-America Conference, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Northeast Conference.
WEEK IN REVIEW -- The Hoosiers dropped two road matches last weekend to Purdue and No. 18 Illinois. Against the Boilermakers, junior Ryann Connors posted a career-high 26 kills but it was not enough as the Hoosiers lost the coveted "Monon Spike" match for the third-straight year. Against the Fighting Illini, Amanda Welter led IU with 13 kills.
BIG TEN STARTS -- The Hoosiers 3-1 Big Ten Conference start was the program's best league beginning since 1993.
HOME SWEET HOME -- The Hoosiers are 7-1 when playing at University Gym and 3-4 when playing on the road.
RANKED LOSSES -- Of Indiana's five losses this fall, four of those have been to top-25 ranked teams. The Hoosiers have lost to No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 8 USC, No. 18 Illinois and No. 19 Arizona. On the flip side, IU has defeated then-No. 21 Michigan State and then-No. 18 Notre Dame.
VERSUS NORTHWESTERN -- The Wildcats enter Wednesday night's match in 10th place in the league standings with a 11-7 overall, 1-5 Big Ten mark after having lost there last five matches. Teammates Carmen Burbach and Jessica Holloway lead the squad's attack, averaging 3.20 and 3.12 kills per game, respectively. The Wildcats are coached by Kevin Renshler who holds a 24-25 school record in two seasons at Northwestern. The Series: The Hoosiers lead the all-time series 18-17.
ON NO. 25 MINNESOTA -- Prior to the Gophers' Friday night match against Northwestern, Minnesota is 12-5 overall, 2-4 in the Big Ten and tied for seventh place in the league standings. Last weekend, the Gophers dropped three-game matches to both Michigan and Michigan State. Nicole Branagh leads the Gopher attack, averaging 5.32 kills per game. Head coach Mike Hebert is in his third season with the program and holds a 59-26 school record. The Series: Minnesota leads the all-time series 24-10.
THE BIG HURT -- Starting rightside hitter Amanda Welter has become one of the Hoosiers top threats since conference play began. Through six Big Ten matches, the 6-3 sophomore has averaged a team-best 3.81 kills, 2.24 digs and .81 blocks per game while registering an .343 attack percentage. She has also led the team in kills in four of the Hoosiers' last five matches. Named Big Ten Player of the Week Oct. 5, Welter pounded home a career-high 22 digs in the Hoosiers' win over then-No. 21 Michigan State Oct. 2.
LEADING THE WAY -- Junior Ryann Connors currently ranks eighth in the league and leads the Hoosier attack with her 4.15 kills per game average. The outside hitter has registered 20-plus kills in five matches and tallied a career-high 26 kills in the Hoosiers win over Purdue Oct. 9.
TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD -- Senior Jen Magelssen already
holds the
school record for career service aces (178) and digs (1,194)
and is presently
in pursuit of the school record for kills. Currently
she ranks fifth on
the all-time list with 1,224 kills and needs just 157
more to become the
program's career leader.
