Indiana University Athletics
Minnesota, Iowa Preview
10/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers (7-12, 1-7 Big Ten) return to the University Gym this weekend for a pair of conference patch-ups. First up, Indiana battles No. 2 Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Indiana split the 2003 season series with the Golden Gophers. IU blanked Minnesota, 3-0, in the first meeting in Bloomington, while dropping a 3-0 tilt in Minneapolis.
The Cream and Crimson then battles Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. The Hoosiers own a seven-match winning streak against the Hawkeyes that dates back to a 3-0 win on Nov. 4, 2000 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Last week, Indiana split its conference road trip with a 3-2 loss to Wisconsin, before upending Northwestern, 3-2, in Evanston, Ill.
Senior Christina Archibald paced IU last week with 36 kills to post a 3.60 kills per game average, while sophomore Tasha Arsenych set up most of Archibald's kills with 99 helpers. Senior Katie Pollom came up big at the net for 13 total blocks, while freshman Juli Pierce had a career-weekend with 51 digs.
Minnesota rolls into Friday's match with an 18-2 record, including a 7-1 mark in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers shut-down Iowa for a 3-0 triumph in Iowa City, on Oct. 13, before holding off then-No. 23 Illinois, 3-1, on Oct. 16.
Against the Hawkeyes, senior Erin Martin led Minnesota with 17 kills, while classmate Trisha Bratford notched 12 kills and senior Lindsey Taatjes registered 10 of her own. Additionally, junior Paula Gentil paced the Golden Gophers with 19 digs. In their match-up with Illinois, Martin led her squad to 15 kills in front of a school-record 10,927 fans. Taatjes posted a rare double-double with 27 assists and 22 digs, while Gentil swept the floor with 27 saves.
Martin leads the Golden Gophers with 381 kills, while connecting at a .281 clip. Taatjes serves as the primary setter for Minnesota with 668 of the team's 1,197 total assists.
Iowa enters the week with a 9-11 record, including a 1-6 league ledger. The Hawkeyes dropped a pair of contests last weekend to extend their losing streak to seven matches. Then-No. 2 Minnesota dropped Iowa, 3-0, on Oct. 13 in Iowa City, before Illinois blanked Iowa, 3-0, on Oct. 15.
Against the Golden Gophers, freshman Stacy Vitali and senior Carolyn Giese registered nine kills apiece to lead Iowa, while senior Laura Simpson posted 10 digs. Additionally, sophomore Chelsey Garrett chipped in 20 assists. In the contest against Illinois, Giese paced Iowa with 18 kills, while junior Justeen Patton and Garrett shared setting duties with 17 and 13, respectively. Sophomore Jacqueline Huquelet and sophomore Tiana Costanzo each tallied 10 saves.
Giese paces the Hawkeyes with 246 kills, while recording a 3.51 kills per game average. Senior Pam Kavadas serves as the primary defender with 351 digs, while Giese and Simpson boast 57 blocks apiece.
