Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Volleyball Tough as Ever
9/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
September 10, 2002
BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL TOUGH AS EVER
Bloomington, Ind. - Prior to the 2002 campaign, 10th-year IU head coach Katie Weismiller said of the Big Ten Conference, "For the last seven years the Big Ten's been one of the top volleyball conferences in the country. That tradition is going to continue. Not only are we doing well in conference but our teams are also doing well when we get into the NCAA tournament. We know that the competition is going to be fierce. This year is no exception."Halfway through the non-conference portion of the schedule, Weismiller's sentiments certainly look to be prophetic. Through last weekend, Big Ten teams had combined to record a 50-14 overall record (.781 winning percentage). Penn State is presently undefeated (6-0), while Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northwestern, and Indiana, which is off to its sixth-best start in school history, have all only sustained one loss. Among those schools with two losses, Ohio State is the highest ranked Big Ten program in the country as the Buckeyes are ranked eighth in this weeks AVCA/USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll.
In this week's coaches' poll, Ohio State (#8), Penn State (#11), Wisconsin (#12), Minnesota (#13), and Michigan State (#19) are all ranked nationally, while Illinois was among 15 additional teams that received more than one vote. Minnesota (7-2) has been impressive to date, earning victories over top-10 ranked Pepperdine and UCLA, while losing to top-ranked Stanford in four games.
Among Big Ten statistical leaders, Indiana ranks third in hitting percentage (.287), fourth in assists (14.43), and fifth in both blocks (2.52) and kills (16.05). Individually, sophomore setter Victoria Zimmerman is presently fourth in assists (13.00) and sophomore middle blocker Katie Pollom (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) ranks ninth in hitting percentage (.401).
Indiana opens its Big Ten campaign vs. Ohio State on Wednesday, September 25, before making a three match road swing to Penn State, Michigan, and Michigan State.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
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