Indiana University Athletics
Practice Report - Aug 31
8/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The 2005 Indiana volleyball squad continued to prepare for the road-opener at the Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa, Ala. With the impact Hurricane Katrina had on the South always in their thoughts, the Hoosiers focused on the task at hand.
After opening the day with a spirited game of ball tag to get the competitive juices flowing, the squad continued with defensive drills while the setters worked on pinpoint accuracy in delivering the ball.
Junior defensive specialist Sara Diehl made a few key digs during the drill, while freshman Emily Zulauf showed off her vertical leap in the dig-to-attack recovery routines. Additionally, sophomore middle blocker Annie Moddrell continued to impress on the block as well as demonstrated her versatility with several kills. Meanwhile, freshman setter Jessica Batliner proved she is not weak at the net with an amazing solo block.
Before heading into the locker room for some video scouting, senior middle blocker Mandy Eberle confirmed her status as a veteran on the squad by wasting no movement during an offensive drill. With set after set coming from freshman setter Laura Holm, Eberle smoothly put the ball away.
Also of note, the squad debuted brand new team color Baden game balls during practice. Each one sported an IU logo with crimson and white stripes.
The practice closed with video scouting, during which time Indiana head coach Katie Weismiller prepared the team for its first road trip. She began the meeting with some timely words of remembrance that the Hoosiers would be heading into an evacuation destination from the devastation that Hurricane Katrina wrought. Doing one of the few things the team can do for those impacted by the hurricane, the Hoosiers will be doubling up their hotel rooms to open up even more space for those evacuated to Tuscaloosa from Louisiana.
Junior defensive specialist Sara Diehl
On her posting seven aces last weekend:
"Katie tries really hard to instill a lot of confidence in us back there. She has worked hard with us in that area. She is really great. My teammates are also helping me out by calling out the weaker passers out there to let me know where to go. With the support of everyone around me, I was just putting it where they were telling me."
On how she feels about opening the road season:
"I am really excited. I love traveling and competing in other gyms. All the freshmen brought a lot of fresh energy to us. I think they are ready to go, and I am definitely ready to have them with us."
On heading into the area of the country hit by Hurricane Katrina:
"It has been an awful situation. I definitely wish there was something more we could do to give back to them."
Freshman setter Laura Holm
On her feelings about going on the road for the first time:
"I am so excited. There is a lot of energy. That gets us really pumped up. I have never been on the road. I am excited to see how everything works and get a feel for that."
On how she works with the hitters:
"I wouldn't be able to get the ball to the hitters if the passers weren't getting the ball to me. There is no single player for us. Volleyball is the epitome of a team sport. The team is the most important. They all deserve credit."
On heading into the area of the country hit by Hurricane Katrina:
"It is devastating. My heart goes out to them. It must be really hard. I wish there was something we could do. We will do our best to be courteous to people we see. Hopefully, it all works out for the best eventually."
