Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Alabama
Indiana Drops Match to Alabama in Second Contest of Bama Bash
9/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2005
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Indiana volleyball team fell to Alabama in a tightly-contested 3-0 loss, which was much more competitive than the final tally would imply. Overall, the contest featured 22 ties and 13 lead changes as the Hoosiers came up on the short end at the Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The loss dropped IU to 1-3, while Alabama improved to 3-1.
"We competed tonight," Indiana head coach Katie Weismiller said. "Alabama did a really nice job offensively. The difference was their defense. Offensively, we couldn't get kills. There were some tough plays down the stretch, and some calls didn't go our way at crucial points."
Senior outside hitter Rachel Gerling paced the Hoosiers with a double-double from 19 kills and 15 digs. She also put away the ball at a career-high .462 clip.
"Rock played great tonight," Weismiller said. "She kept the ball in play. She attacked from everywhere on the court. She did a really nice job. Defensively, she dug a ton of balls. She was so well-rounded tonight."
Other double-digit performances for Indiana included 12 digs for junior defensive specialist Sara Diehl and 41 assists by freshman setter Laura Holm.
The first game went down to the wire as Indiana fell in a hard-fought 31-29 loss to give Alabama the 1-0 lead. Although IU out-hit Alabama, .229-.093, the Hoosiers could not shutdown the Crimson Tide. In the game, the squads posted seven ties and five lead changes.
The second stanza turned out to be less competitive as Alabama connected at a .541 rate for the 30-21 triumph to extend its lead to 2-0.
The final frame, a 37-35 loss for the Hoosiers, featured the longest game for IU since losing the third game to Kent State, 39-37, at the TIS Bookstore Invitational on Sept. 18 in 2004. Additionally, the game had 11 ties and five lead changes.
Indiana closes out the Bama Bash tomorrow against Loyola-Chicago at 11 a.m.
Players Mentioned
