Indiana University Athletics
VB Dominates Iowa, 3-0
9/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Bloomington, Ind. - Feeding off its impressive victory over No. 18 Minnesota, the Indiana volleyball team moved its winning streak to five matches with a 30-27, 30-19, 30-19 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hoosiers are 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1997 and sit 9-4 overall on the season. Iowa falls to 5-6 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play.
"We were coming off a big win and it took us a little time coming out of the gates," said Indiana head coach Katie Weismiller. "I was really pleased that we did pick it up. It is a completely different style game from what was played against Minnesota. Iowa is different and it took us a little time to get adjusted to what was coming at us and how they were swinging offensively."
IU held the Hawkeyes to a .127 hitting percentage with eight blocks. Indiana hit .302 in the match, led by Melissa Brewer's 14 kills and .480 hitting percentage. The senior also added one block solo and four block assists.
"It is just amazing after last night, I was so proud of my team," said Brewer. "This is my senior year and this is the time to do it. I have so much support behind me. This is the most energetic team I have ever been with. Christina Archibald is the wildest person you will ever meet, and I just feed off that energy. I am just playing with the best people."
Christina Archibald (Belleville, Ill./West) notched her fifth double-double after compiling 13 kills and 10 digs. The junior has reached the 10-kill plateau in 24 consecutive matches. Junior Katie Pollom (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) added eight kills and sophomore Ashley White (St. Charles, Ill./East) pounded eight kills while hitting .300.
"After last night, we couldn't believe winning in three games, we were expecting five at the very least," said White. "Everyone is really excited about the season and we just can't wait to get out there."
The opening game was back-and-forth the entire way, with the teams being tied at 10-10, 15-15 and 20-20 before the Hoosiers gained control. IU held a 21-20 lead when Archibald delivered two kills to give the Hoosiers a 25-22 lead. The teams traded the final ten points of the game as Indiana took the opener, 30-27. Brewer finished with a game-high six kills with Archibald adding five kills and three digs.
After taking the 21-20 lead in the opener, Indiana never trailed the rest of the way. In game two, the Hoosiers jumped on the Hawkeyes, taking a 12-7 lead. Iowa cut the lead to 14-11, but IU used an 11-4 run to build a 10-point lead at 25-15. The Hoosiers cruised the rest of the way, winning the game, 30-19 and taking control of the match at 2-0.
Coming off a dominant performance in game two, IU kept the pressure on and turned in a dominant performance in the third game. Indiana hit .412 in the final game and held Iowa to a .030 hitting percentage
The Hoosiers raced out to a 10-4 lead in the game and never looked back. The Hawkeyes never came within six points the rest of the way, and IU clinched the match with a 30-19 victory.
Archibald terminated a game-high six kills with Brewer and White adding five kills apiece.
"It was a great weekend," said Weismiller. "We had tough competition plus we were at home. We got to start at home with great fan support. Any win in the Big Ten is a big win. To sweep a weekend and open up that way, hopefully, it will give us some momentum going into the rest of the Big Ten."
In addition to the hitters putting away the kills, junior setter Victoria Zimmerman (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) dished out 40 assists in the match, setting her teammates up for their success.
"I think Victoria does a great job setting," said Brewer. "The past two matches have been incredible. Her selection has been awesome. We have had one-on-ones every time we hit. I think it is our job when we have one-on-ones is to put the ball away. She has done a wonderful job."
The Hoosiers return to the court, Friday, Oct. 3, in Columbus, Ohio against the Ohio State Buckeyes before traveling to Penn State for a battle against the No. 12 Nittany Lions on Saturday, Oct. 4.
