Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Preseason Poll
8/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Bloomington, Ind. - Fresh off its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last five years, the Indiana volleyball team is fifth in the 2003 Big Ten Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released today. In addition, league coaches tabbed IU junior outside hitter Christina Archibald to the preseason all-league team.
Indiana closed the 2002 campaign with a 20-13 overall mark and a 10-10 league ledger. Eight Big Ten programs advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, as the Hoosiers suffered a tough five-game loss to perennial power Texas in the first round. With five starters returning, IU coach Katie Weismiller knows that her team will not sneak up on anyone this fall.
"I think first we keep a close eye on our side of the court. We have to focus on what we are doing, who we are, and what we are about. I think too often we get so caught up in what the other team has and what they are doing that we focus too much on an opponent and not enough on ourselves," Weismiller said. "We also have to make sure we are especially strong in at least one area. What is going to be our strength? Offensively, we have been strong. To do that again we're going to have to be a pretty good passing team and defensive team. We need to pick up our transition game. When we do begin to look at other teams, I guarantee you from a coaching standpoint we're going to be prepared."
Indiana opponents must also be ready to contend with Archibald, one of the best all-around athletes in the Big Ten. As a sophomore, Archibald progressed at an impressive pace last fall as she set Indiana's single-season kill record with 555. An explosive leaper, Archibald currently ranks 11th on IU's career kills list with 919 and has become one of Zimmerman's favorite offensive weapons. Archibald was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Northern Illinois/Best Western Invitational, the Indiana TIS/Taylor Invitational, the University of Maryland's Terrapin Invitational, and was the MVP of the IU Credit Union Classic.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Christina play healthy," Weismiller said. "She played with injuries throughout last fall. She was also out all spring so we are looking forward to having her back healthy. She had a great year last year but was really limited as she missed a number of practices. We worked on her arm swing this spring as that's about all we could do. The staff is excited because we expect her to be back and better than ever."
Indiana opens its season Aug. 29 against Kent State in the Miami (Fla.) Tournament.
