Indiana University Athletics
IU Hosts Illinois and NU
11/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana volleyball team returns home after a pair of road matches against Iowa and No. 22 Minnesota. IU (11-16, 4-12 Big Ten) faces No. 20 Illinois (21-5, 12-4 Big Ten) on Friday, Nov. 21 and Northwestern (17-11, 8-8 Big Ten) on Saturday, Nov. 22. Both matches are slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. at University Gym. The match against the Fighting Illini will be televised on tape delay by Fox Sports Chicago on Sun., Nov. 23 at 3:00 p.m. CST.
IU is 0-2 against the Illini and Wildcats this season, dropping road matches to both teams early this season. Indiana fell at Northwestern, 3-0 on Oct. 24 and lost at Illinois, 3-1 on Oct. 25.
HOOSIER REPORT
This past weekend, Indiana (11-16, 4-12 Big Ten) split a pair of road matches. IU picked up its first road win of the season in a four-game victory over Iowa 28-30, 30-26, 30-26, 30-27. The Hoosiers turned in their second straight dominant defensive performance. Indiana picked up a season-high 34 block assists and held OSU to a .111 hitting percentage. Senior Melissa Brewer set a team single-match high with 10 block assists and junior Katie Pollom matched Brewer's team single-match high of 10 total blocks (three block solos, seven block assists).
Against then-No. 24 Minnesota, the Hoosiers fell in three games 30-22, 30-25, 30-17. Junior Victoria Zimmerman turned in an outstanding performance, narrowly missing a triple-double distributing 31 assists with 12 digs and six kills.
HOOSIER OPPONENTS
Illinois: The Fighting Illini enter the weekend tied for second place in the Big Ten standings with Minnesota at 12-4. Overall, the Illini are 21-5 and are ranked 20th in the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Last week, Illinois dispatched of Northwestern in three games 30-22, 30-28, 30-27 and eliminated then-No. 23 Wisconsin 30-19, 30-26, 34-32. Lisa Argabright ranks near the top of the Big Ten in several categories. The senior is second in the league with a .387 hitting percentage and fifth averaging 1.25 blocks per game.
Northwestern: NU heads to Bloomington winners of six of its last eight Big Ten matches, evening its Big Ten mark at 8-8, good for seventh place in the conference. The Wildcats are 17-11 overall after splitting a pair of Big Ten matches last week. Northwestern fell at Illinois before rebounding with a home victory over then-No. 23 Wisconsin in four games (24-30, 30-23, 35-33, 30-26).
The Wildcats are led by senior Erika Lange, who sits third in the league with a .358 hitting percentage. Lange also ranks second with 126 totals blocks, third with 1.33 blocks per game and seventh averaging 4.05 kills per game.
Head Coach Katie Weismiller
The winningest volleyball coach in Indiana University history, Katie Weismiller has completely changed the fortunes of the IU volleyball program during her 10 years in Bloomington. Now in her 11th season, Weismiller has led the Hoosiers to three NCAA Tournaments in the last five years, including an NCAA berth last fall. Last year's appearance marked the fourth time in the program's history, (all under Weismiller), an Indiana team advanced to the postseason. After taking over a program that was 6-23 prior to her arrival, Weismiller led the Hoosiers to a .500 record in her second season in Bloomington. In her third season, the Hoosiers finished with a 20-14 overall mark, a 12-8 record in the Big Ten Conference, and earned the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. Indiana made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and 1999, advancing to the second round on both occasions. Prior to Indiana, Weismiller was the head coach at Saint Louis University (1989-90), and an assistant at the University of Florida (1991-92).
Assistant Coach Cydryce Carter
Carter is in her second season as an assistant coach at Indiana after spending two seasons as an assistant at Southwest Texas State. Carter coordinates Indiana's recruiting efforts in addition to her on-court responsibilities, which include working with the Hoosiers' middle blockers. Carter's impact was felt immediately in 2002 as she helped lead the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament. As a standout player at Indiana, Carter finished her career among Indiana's top 10 in digs, service aces, block assists and total blocks. She twice earned Academic All-America honors.
Assistant Coach Ryan Theis
Theis is in his second season at Indiana. In his first season, the Hoosiers won 12 more matches than they did in 2001. In addition to his on-court duties, Theis is responsible for a number of administrative functions including team travel, equipment and recruiting. Prior to his arrival at Indiana, Theis spent two seasons as the top assistant for the women's volleyball program at Eastern Illinois University. In 2001, he helped lead the Panthers to a 21-9 overall mark, an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Brewer Recognized
Senior middle blocker Melissa Brewer was named to the Verizon Academic All-District V Second Team on Nov. 13. Brewer, a member of the first team the past two seasons, was one of 12 players selected to the first and second teams this season. The Bloomington, Ind., is majoring in biology.
On the court, Brewer leads the Hoosiers in hitting percentage (.301), block assists (113) and total blocks (119) and sits second on the team with 342 kills and 3.42 kills per game.
Closing In
After becoming the IU all-time block assists leader, Melissa Brewer is closing in on two more milestones. The senior middle blocker needs 25 blocks to become the school's all-time total blocks leader. In addition, Brewer needs 39 kills to break Indiana's all-time kills record. Brewer currently sits second on both career lists.
Block Party
In Indiana's victory over Iowa this past weekend, the Hoosiers recorded a season-high 34 block assists. Senior Melissa Brewer set a team single-match high with 10 block assists and Katie Pollom (three block solos and seven block assists) equaled Brewer with a team single-match high 10 total blocks. The previous match, against Ohio State, the Hoosiers recorded 32 block assists and Pollom finished with nine block assists.
Against The Fighting Illini
The Hoosiers dropped a four-game match on Oct. 25 at Illinois. Junior Katie Pollom closed out the match with 13 kills, a .357 hitting percentage and five block assists. Last year, IU knocked off the Fighting Illini in five games in Bloomington, Ind., 30-26, 26-30, 31-29, 26-30, 15-11.
Against The Wildcats
Indiana fell to Northwestern in three games on Oct. 24 in Evanston, Ill. Christina Archibald led the Hoosiers with 11 kills. Overall, Weismiller owns a 15-6 record in her career against Northwestern, capturing victories in eight of the last 11 matches between the two teams. IU is 25-20 against the Wildcats all-time. Indiana lost a five-game decision to NU in Bloomington last season 30-19, 27-30, 25-30, 36-34, 13-15.
A Fresh Spark
Freshmen Tasha Arsenych and Lindsay Cochrane have provided the Hoosiers with a spark the past three weekends. After notching her first collegiate start at Illinois on Oct. 25, Arsenych was back in the starting rotation against Ohio State. The Plano, Texas, native delivered a tremendous all-around performance with 47 assists, eight digs and six block assists.
Cochrane started both matches at Iowa and then-No. 24 Minnesota. The Geneva, Ill., native corralled 13 digs against the Hawkeyes and 11 digs against the Gophers. Cochrane has appeared in the 24 of the last 27 Hoosier games and has started five of the team's last eight matches. Overall this season, Cochrane has appeared in 78 games with six starts. She has reached the double-digit digs plateau six times, with a career-high 14 at Michigan and has 146 digs and 11 service aces.
Brewer Breaks Block Record
Against Purdue on Oct. 15, senior middle blocker Melissa Brewer etched her name into the Hoosier record books, recording seven block assists, becoming the Indiana all-time leader with 407 in her career. She broke current IU assistant coach Cydryce Carter's record of 405. The senior also added a match-high 17 kills, hitting .389 in the match.
.300 Is The Mark
The Hoosiers are 7-1 when they hit .300 in a match and 3-14 when they do not reach the .300 mark. IU's highest single-match hitting percentage of .358 came in the Hoosiers sweep of IUPUI in the opening match of the TIS/Taylor Invitational, and its highest single-game hitting percentage of .562 came against South Carolina at the Notre Dame Shamrock Invitational.
Dominant Defense
In 25 matches this season, the Hoosiers have only allowed six opponents to hit .300 or higher in a match. Overall, Indiana has held nine opponents under the .200 plateau, going 8-1 in those matches. The Hoosiers held IUPUI to a season-best .054 hitting percentage in their three-game victory.
Making Their Debuts
Sophomores Mandy Eberle and Ashley White notched their first collegiate starts. Eberle got the starting nod at Northwestern and Illinois on Oct. 24 and 25. The Sussex, Wis., native appeared in four games and pounded five kills to go along with two block assists. White started the team's matches at Michigan State and Michigan on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. She produced 11 kills playing in five of the squad's six games.
New Streak Begins
After failing to record double-digit kills at Michigan State for the first time in 32 matches, Christina Archibald rebounded with a 12-kill performance at Michigan the following match. The junior reached the 10-kill plateau in both matches this past weekend and has reached the mark in 26 of the team's 27 matches. Dating back to last season, Archibald has pounded 10 or more kills in 43 of the last 44 matches she has played in.
Double-Double
Christina Archibald captured her sixth double-double of the season after nailing 18 kills and corralling 11 digs in the Hoosiers' four-game victory at Iowa on Nov. 14. Last season, the Belleville, Ill., native recorded 12 double-doubles and now has 25 in her career.
Setter Victoria Zimmerman leads the team with seven double-doubles this year after distributing 31 assists and 12 digs at Iowa on Nov. 14. In 2002, she garnered 10 double-doubles and now has 17 in her career, second on the team to Archibald's 25.
Big Ten Leaders
Thus far this season, three Hoosiers are among the Big Ten leaders in four statistical categories. Christina Archibald is sixth in the conference with 414 kills and ranks sixth in the league averaging 4.14 kills per game. Beth Heimann ranks sixth in the Big Ten averaging 3.40 digs per games, while Melissa Brewer is ninth averaging 1.19 blocks per game.
In conference matches, Brewer is ninth with her .291 hitting percentage, and is third with 1.38 blocks per game. Heimann ranks seventh averaging 3.16 digs per game in league matches.
Brewer Academic All-America Candidate
Melissa Brewer, a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season, is a leading candidate for Academic All-America honors. The Bloomington, Ind., native was named to the Verizon Academic All-District V Volleyball First Team for the second consecutive season in 2002. Additionally, Brewer was one of eight Hoosiers to earn a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team. On the court, the senior middle blocker became the sixth Hoosier in the program's history and the first since Anne Eastman and Lynn Crawley (1994) to earn Mideast All-Region honors in 2002.
Two-Sport Star
In addition to her volleyball duties, Christina Archibald is a member of the IU track and field team. During the spring of 2002, Archibald finished in a fourth-place tie in the high jump at the Big Ten Championship with a leap of 5'7 3/4''. The jump tied her for the best finish in the event by a freshman. The Belleville, Ill., native took last track season off to rehabilitate a foot injury.
Pollom Pounding Away
Middle blocker Katie Pollom is rolling along in this 2003 campaign. The Indianapolis, Ind., native leads the team with 21 block solos while ranking second with 21 service aces with 76 block assists and 97 total blocks. She also sits third on the squad with 282 kills, a .269 hitting percentage and 2.85 kills per game. The junior was named honorable mention All-Big Ten last season after setting an IU single-season record for total blocks (153), and tying current IU assistant coach Cydryce Carter for first on the single-season block assists list (139). Pollom finished third on the team in kills with 446, which ranks seventh all-time on the Hoosiers' single-season list.
Zimmerman Runs the Show
Running the show for Indiana is setter Victoria Zimmerman. During the Hoosiers' match at then-No. 24 Minnesota, the junior turned in a fine all-around performance. In addition to delivering 31 assists, Zimmerman nearly recorded a triple-double with 12 digs and six kills. Overall this season, the junior has dished out 12.34 assists per game to go along with 208 digs (second on the team), 86 kills and 34 block assists. Last season, displaying great leadership and excitement on the court, Zimmerman set the single-season school record with 1,765 assists. She ranked ninth nationally with 13.58 assists per game and is an All-Big Ten candidate this season.
Heimann Gets Defensive
Junior Beth Heimann has picked up where departed senior Hillary Toivonen left off. She has been a catalyst on the defense registering a team-high 320 digs, averaging 3.40 digs per game appearing in 94 of the team's 100 games as the Hoosier libero.
Heimann turned in her best performance of the season setting a career high with 22 digs against Purdue. This past weekend, the Decatur, Ind., native compiled 17 digs in the team's victory at Iowa and 14 digs against then-No. 24 Minnesota. After taking a one-year hiatus from the squad, Heimann returned to the team just weeks prior to the start of the 2002 season. She appeared in all 33 matches and recorded 253 digs, fifth-best on the team.
Pritz Sees Increase In Action
Senior Monique Pritz shined during the offseason and has continued her impressive play into the regular season. Pritz has seen action in all 98 of the team's 100 games, pounding 166 kills, hitting .275 (second on the team) and adding 60 block assists, good for fourth on the team. Against Ohio State on Nov. 8, the Columbus, Ind., native pounded nine kills, hitting .333 to go along with six block assists and four digs. Pritz also holds the Hoosiers' highest hitting percentage of the season at .889, drilling eight kills on nine attempts with no errors in a victory against then-No. 18 Minnesota.
White A Pleasant Surprise
One of the brightest positives from Indiana's performance this season has been the play of sophomore Ashley White. Appearing in only 18 games last season, the St. Charles, Ill., native has appeared in 82 games this season. White has contributed 138 kills, good for fifth on the team, participating in each of the team's 27 matches this season. Against Michigan State and Michigan, White started her first two collegiate matches providing 11 kills and participating in five of the team's six games. With her increased playing time, White has terminated 129 more kills than last season, the most significant improvement on the team.
Hill Fights Through Knee Injury
After undergoing surgery just prior to spring break (2003), senior Nikki Hill has looked refreshed and provided IU with a spark this season. Hill has appeared in 81 of the team's 100 games and started 17 of the team's 27 matches. She ranks fourth on the team behind Heimann, Zimmerman and Archibald with 154 digs and sits fourth on the team with 13 service aces. The Muncie, Ind., native tallied 10 digs in the third game against then-No. 17 Penn State on Nov. 7.
Fantastic Freshmen
Freshmen Sara Diehl and Katy Jo Mroski have recently seen increased playing time in the Hoosier rotation. Diehl has appeared in 67 of the team's games, starting six of IU's 27 matches. Brought in for her defensive play and service game, the Bloomington, Ind., native has recorded 10 service aces and has compiled 77 digs this season, including a career-high 10 digs against then-No. 17 PSU.
Mroski's playing time has risen sharply in Big Ten play. The Hubbard, Ohio, native turned in her best performance of the season with eight kills and a .417 hitting percentage against then-No. 16 MSU on Oct. 11. Against the Nittany Lions on Nov. 7, Mroski drilled five kills, hitting .333 in game three.
Impressive Start
Indiana began its Big Ten season with victories over then-No. 18 Minnesota, 3-0, and Iowa, 3-0. The last time the Hoosiers started the season winning their first two conference games was the 1997 season when IU downed Purdue and Ohio State.
IU Credit Union Invitational Champs
The Hoosiers captured their first tournament title of the 2003 season at their own IU Credit Union Invitational. After downing Saint Louis (3-0) and Austin Peay (3-1) in its first two matches, IU came back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Western Kentucky in the championship match. Behind an offensive onslaught and an energetic crowd, Indiana rallied for the 32-34, 23-30, 30-21, 30-25, 15-11 victory.
Christina Archibald led the way for Indiana compiling a season-high 25 kills, 11 digs, eight block assists, two service aces and hitting .364 against the Lady Hilltoppers. Melissa Brewer nailed 18 kills, hitting .325, and Katie Pollom finished with 18 kills and collected two block solos and seven block assists.
Archibald Brings Home MVP
After her performance at the IU Credit Union Invitational, Christina Archibald earned tournament MVP honors. The Belleville, Ill., native finished the weekend with 56 kills, 26 digs, 12 block assists and four service aces. Indiana appeared in four tournaments this season, and Archibald was named to the all-tournament team in all four events.
All-Tournament Appearances
In addition to Archibald, Melissa Brewer and Katie Pollom earned spots on the all-tournament team at the IU Credit Union Invitational. Brewer terminated 48 kills along with 19 block assists in the tournament. The Bloomington, Ind., native was named to three all-tournament teams this season.
Pollom earned her first all-tournament nomination of the season finishing second on the team with 50 kills. She also turned in a dominant performance on the defensive end with four block solos and 10 block assists.
Oh So Close
Two different tournaments, same result. The Hoosiers fell in the championship match for the second-straight tournament at the TIS/Taylor Invitational on Sept. 6. After defeating IUPUI in three games and Southeast Missouri State in four games, Indiana fell to Wisconsin-Green Bay in five games in the finale. It marked the second time in the two-year history of the tournament IU finished second at the event.
Weismiller Remains Perfect
In its 29th season, Indiana has compiled a 22-7 record in season-opening matches. The Hoosiers improved to a perfect 11-0 in season openers under head coach Katie Weismiller after defeating Kent State in five games. Indiana's last loss in a season-opening match was a three-game sweep at Kentucky on Sept. 4, 1992.
Preseason Big Ten Poll
Coming off its third NCAA Tournament appearance in five seasons, the Hoosiers were selected fifth in the 2003 Big Ten Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. In addition, league coaches tabbed junior outside hitter Christina Archibald to the preseason All-Big Ten team.
USA Today Poll
Overall, three Big Ten teams are currently ranked in the top 25 and two Big Ten teams sit just outside the top 25 receiving votes. Indiana has faced four teams ranked in the top 25 this season and two teams receiving votes in the poll.
Hoosiers Dancing
In 2002, Indiana advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in school history. Weismiller has led the Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament three times in the last five years. Last season, eight Big Ten teams earned a berth into the tournament. IU matched up against the University of Texas in the first round dropping a heartbreaking five-set match 22-30, 38-36, 17-30, 30-24, 10-15. The Hoosiers are 2-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament in their four appearances.
