Indiana University Athletics
VB Advances to Title Game
9/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana volleyball team defeated Austin Peay 30-28, 27-30, 30-26, 30-16 in the team's second match of the IU Credit Union Invitational. IU (6-4) advances to the championship match against Western Kentucky, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at University Gym.
"We are improving everyday," said head coach Katie Weismiller. "There were a couple times I thought we let up a little bit, but we are seeing improvement everyday. Our offense is getting a little more consistent, and it is a big plus to get a win."
Leading the Hoosiers on the offensive attack was junior Katie Pollom (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral). She continued her dominant play with 18 kills, hitting .419. Senior Melissa Brewer (Bloomington, Ind./North) turned in another strong performance with 15 kills. In addition, she added six block assists, coming off the heels of her seven-block assist performance last night.
"Overall we played well," said Pollom. "They were a very good defensive team. Right now we are just gearing up for tonight. It feels good to get a win, and we are going to come back ready to play."
After dropping a back-and-forth opening game, 30-28, the Hoosiers rebounded in game two. In another even game, the teams were tied at 5-5, 10-10 and 12-12, before Indiana used a 4-0 run to garner a four-point advantage. IU maintained the lead the rest of the way, hanging on for the 30-27 victory. Melissa Brewer stepped up with six kills in addition to the five contributed by Katie Pollom.
The Hoosiers used a pair of 6-0 runs to take the third game, 30-26. Trailing 11-5, IU stormed back with six-unanswered points squaring the match. Austin Peay rallied, taking an 18-15 lead, before Indiana used another 6-0 run to take a 21-18 lead. The Hoosiers continued their dominance in the game scoring four of the next five points, building a 25-19 lead, and held on down the stretch for the victory. Pollom led the way for IU with six kills in 11 attempts.
Indiana dominated the final game from the start, trailing only once, on its way to the 30-16 victory. Leading 7-6, the Hoosiers ran off six of the next seven points for a 13-7 lead, and the Governors never recovered. Austin Peay hung around until Indiana used another 6-0 run to take a commanding 26-14 lead en route to the win. Sophomore Mandy Eberle (Sussex, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) nailed three kills down the stretch closing out the game and the match. In the game, the Hoosiers hit .469 with 20 kills in 32 attempts.
Junior Victoria Zimmerman (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) dished out 62 assists to go along with 12 digs and six kills while junior Beth Heimann (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont) recorded 14 digs.
In the championship match, the Hoosiers match up against a Western Kentucky team that is also 2-0 in the tournament after victories over Austin Peay and Saint Louis. The Lady Toppers enter the final match victorious in 11 of their last 12 matches and with an 11-3 overall record.
"Western Kentucky is going to be ready to play," said Weismiller. "They are a good team. They have a lot of in-state players, and they are going to come out ready for us. Offensively, they do things a little different. They have a little higher offense and it's going to take some discipline and patience on our side. We are going to vary our offense a little more than we have."
