Indiana University Athletics
Q&A with Katie Weismiller
8/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
August 24, 2004
Bloomington, Ind. - With its season opener on the horizon, the Indiana volleyball team enters its third week of practice with a newfound intensity and excitement. Head coach Katie Weismiller sat down to analyze her team's performance thus far and where the Hoosiers stand before their first match against IUPUI on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
On how practice is going:
KW: "Very well. We're very pleased with the commitment, dedication and hustle. The team goes for every ball. If the ball hits the floor, everybody is upset. We're seeing a lot more spark and a lot more hustle out of the team this year.
"Our ball control is better, and our defense is getting so much better. Offensively, we're starting to get in rhythm with our setter. These are all big plusses at this point in the season."
On the play of the newcomers:
KW: "They are doing really well. You are seeing some pretty nice adjustments. Lauren Ditteon and Rachel Gerling on the right side are both offensive weapons for us. Juli Pierce is probably our biggest surprise. She has great ball control and defense. She's our backup setter, but she's really working on trying to find time on the court in other positions. Annie (Moddrell) and Gabrielle (Allison) are learning daily and getting better in the middle position. Christine Nilles is doing a great job ball controlling. She's a solid outside hitter for us. She's getting used to the tempo and speed of the game and with each practice, she is getting better and better."
On seniors Christina Archibald and Katie Pollom:
KW: "We have two great seniors. They are leading on and off the court. They are setting the tempo in practice. Our practices have had high intensity and expectations are high. All those things are huge. It's coming through their actions and not just their words."
On what to expect from Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage:
KW: "We're looking for good ball control. We've said all along we want to be a tough serving team with good ball control. With tough serving comes some easy blocks. We're looking for blocking to pick up, along with our ball control and our defensive play. No ball hits the floor without us hitting the floor."
On the most impressive aspect of practice:
KW: "Just the enthusiasm. They come in everyday ready to play and ready to get better. Everyday the performance from everyone gets better."
