Archibald, Hoosiers Win Five-Game Thriller over IPFW

9/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

September 14, 2004

BOX SCORE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Senior Christina Archibald and Katie Pollom recorded career bests with 30 and 28 kills, respectively, as the Indiana volleyball team downed IPFW, 3-2 (30-32, 30-16, 24-30, 30-22, 15-11) on Tuesday night. The win moves IU to 6-2, while the Mastodons drop to 5-3.

Archibald's 30 kills were the third-highest total in a five-game match in school history. The Belleville, Ill., native's previous career high was 29 kills set two years ago to the date against Loyola Marymount. She also hit a season-high .509 for the match, posted a season-high 16 digs and equaled a career high with four service aces. Archibald now needs 39 kills to set the Hoosier all-time kills record (1,547), which was set last year by former Hoosier great Melissa Brewer.

"We (Pollom and Archibald) feel like we need to step up our play and get our team fired up. That's our job to go out there and lead all the younger girls on the court," said Archibald.

Pollom's previous career high was a 23-kill performance against Michigan on Nov. 9, 2002. The Indianapolis, native carded a season-high .533 hitting percentage as well.

"As seniors, Christina and I realize how important every game is, and I think that one of our jobs is to convey how important every single match is and not let any player on this team let up," said Pollom.

After dropping the opener, the Hoosiers came out red-hot in game two. Behind a pair of kills from Archibald and Pollom, IU built an early 10-3 advantage. IPFW ran off five of the next six points to close the gap to 11-8, but a kill by sophomore Mandy Eberle coupled with two more kills from Pollom sparked a six-point Hoosier spurt and pushed the lead to nine.

The Mastodons could not get closer than six points the rest of the way, and Indiana pulled away for a convincing 30-16 victory to even the match.

Following a nine-kill performance in the opening game, Pollom added six more in game two with a .714 hitting percentage. Archibald led everyone with seven kills in the game while hitting .667. Overall, the Hoosiers hit a season-high .613 in game two (21 kills, two errors).

IPFW bounced back with a win in game three before Indiana began its comeback. IU took game four in impressive fashion, 30-22. The Hoosiers opened up an 11-6 lead behind three kills from Pollom and freshman Christine Nilles.

The Mastodons scored the next three points to make it 11-9, but Indiana would not be stopped in this game. IU reeled off the next five points to build an insurmountable 16-9 advantage. During the run, Archibald nailed three consecutive kills to propel the Hoosiers.

With their lead sliced to 21-17, Pollom recorded back-to-back kills to spur a 6-2 Hoosier run. The clubs traded the final six points, as Indiana evened the match with a 30-22 victory.

Archibald finished the game with 11 kills and a .476 hitting percentage.

Game five opened with the teams splitting the first six points. IPFW scored the first three before Archibald and Eberle pounded kills to square the game. The Mastodons gained a 6-4 advantage, when Archibald picked up a pair of aces to key a four-point rally that put the Hoosiers up 8-6.

Once again, IPFW fought back, evening the game at 10-10, but sophomore Tasha Arsenych and Pollom drilled back-to-back kills to give Indiana a 12-10 lead it would not relinquish. Archibald finished the match off, scoring the final three IU points (three kills), and the Hoosiers closed out the game and the match with a 15-11 win.

"After the first game, we were all frustrated because the level of play was not where we wanted it to be. Tonight we were either hot or cold," said Indiana head coach Katie Weismiller. "When our passing was on, we were incredibly strong offensively. When we struggled, it was because of our passing."

As a team, the Hoosiers hit a season-high .375 and recorded a season-best 84 kills. Defensively, IU held IPFW to a .238 mark from the floor.

Freshman Juli Pierce recorded a career-high 13 digs, while Nilles compiled her fourth double-digit digs performance of the season with 13. Arsenych netted a career-high 62 assists and matched a career high with nine digs.

In addition, Lauren Ditteon added 11 kills, five digs and four blocks assists, and sophomore Lindsay Cochrane led the Hoosiers with 15 digs.