Indiana University Athletics
IU Volleyball Prepares For Upcoming Season
8/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 13, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Practice is now in full gear for the Hoosier volleyball team as they prepare for the 2007 campaign. Entering the second week of practice, an intense and highly-energized atmosphere is present inside University Gym surrounding the Hoosiers.
"I like the atmosphere of preseason practices so far," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "The energy and attitude are what we need to establish as a permanent fixture in our gym everyday.
"There is an awesome atmosphere around here right now," said Junior Jessica Langert. "Everyday practice is intense, high energy and the team is meshing really well."
A new coaching staff and the addition of six newcomers will play a large role in the success of IU this season, as team chemistry and molding is created.
"We have some new pieces to our team and a fresh outlook for this year," said Senior Gabrielle Allison. "The team chemistry is working out really, really well and that is exciting to see. Practices have been up-beat and intense."
"With a new coaching staff and a lot of young athletes, we are hitting the fundamentals hard right now to establish good habits," said Dunbar. "I've seen improvement every practice but will need to maintain that as we move into more team-oriented drills and scrimmage situations.
With the season opener against Western Kentucky on Aug.24 at the Northern Illinois Tournament just around the corner, iuhoosiers.com takes a look at the 2007 volleyball squad.
NEW LOOK HOOSIERS
Indiana volleyball has a new look for the 2007 season as the Hoosier Nation welcomes a new coaching staff and six newcomers to the squad. Head Coach Sherry Dunbar, a Ball State graduate and native of Indiana, returns to the state with an impressive coaching resume intact. As the head coach at the College of Charleston over the past four seasons, Dunbar racked up a 113-22 overall record that included three trips to the NCAA tournament and two SoCon Coach of the Year Awards as she guided the Cougars to regular season championships in each of her four seasons at the helm. Sarah Gustin and David Jack join Dunbar as assistants for the '07 campaign. Amanda Timmers, a player at College of Charleston under Dunbar, will serve as the director of volleyball operations.
"My staff is working hard and has earned the respect of the players," said Dunbar. "It's been a great fit."
In addition to the seven returning players, Hoosier fans will see six new faces this season. Ashley Benson, Mara Hilgenberg, Morgan Miller, Martyna Popik, Taylor Wittmer and UCLA transfer Kelsey Hall are this year's recruiting class.
A quartet of seniors in Gabrielle Allison, Lauren Ditteon, Annie Moddrell and Juli Pierce return for their fourth and final run and have combined to play in over 300 career matches over the past three seasons together. Quality leadership is vital to the Hoosiers this year, and Coach Dunbar is looking to these seniors to provide that guidance.
"This senior group is full of experience and I am excited they are still here with this program because they are going to provide the leadership that is needed for the young players," said Dunbar.
Juniors Jessica Langert, Erica Short and Emily Zulauf complete the 2007 Hoosier roster.
SCHEDULE
IU begins the 2007 agenda with a trip to the Northern Illinois Invitational before heading east to Knoxville, Tennessee for a tournament at the University of Tennessee. Dunbar, an assistant coach for the Lady Vols from 1997-2002, believes the early-season schedule gives the Hoosiers both good competition to prepare them for conference play as well as hitting up some fertile recruiting areas.
"NIU's proximity to Chicago is nice on the recruiting front and with Tennessee being a top-20 program right now, it's a great place to get us ready for play in the Big Ten," said Dunbar.
The Cream and Crimson are also slated for a weekend tournament at Valparaiso and the Adidas Classic inside Assembly Hall before beginning Big Ten action.
THE FLOOR GENERAL
Relying on a true freshman to be the starting setter would make most coaches anxious, but Hilgenberg came to Bloomington early and has already developed a rapport with her new teammates. As the teams "quarterback," Hilgenberg has the abilities, attitude and competitiveness to succeed immediately at the Big Ten level.
"I have full confidence in her," said Dunbar. " She is going to come in confident and work hard to do the things she needs to do in order to make this team successful."
MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE
Moddrell and Allison are likely to man the middle for the Hoosiers this year following a 2006 season in which they each averaged a block or more per game. Moddrell has a knack for disrupting the opposition's offensive flow, ranking as one of the top blockers in the Big Ten over the past two seasons. If she simply keeps her pace this season, her career block assist total will easily crack the top five in IU history. A hometown standout from Bloomington North High School will also log some time as a middle blocker for the Hoosiers. Benson should have no problem physically at the collegiate level and will be aided by the seniors in the mental aspects of the game.
"Gabby (Allison) and Annie (Moddrell) are going to be outstanding role models for Ashley (Benson) and help her come along," said Dunbar. "They both exemplify what it is we want from our players in this program, hard workers both on and off the court."
STABLE OF HORSES
With six outside hitters on the roster, the competition for playing time is sure to be intense. Short and Ditteon are the front-runners of the group, ranking first and second, respectively, in kills for Indiana during 2006. Zulauf is another veteran that will contribute significantly once she is fully recovered from a foot injury.
"Erica (Short) has made the commitment this summer to raise her level of play," said Dunbar. "She understands her improved performance is key to the team's success this season and is working hard to become an elite player."
"Lauren (Ditteon) had a great spring, the most improved player," said Dunbar. "I look for big things out of her, I really do."
Hall, a transfer from UCLA, also brings collegiate experience to the table. She is said to have "volleyball savvy" and known to be "super competitive." Wittmer, a Loogootee High School product, has made some great leaps in her game over the last six months and is slotted to see her playing time increase as the season rolls on. Last, but not least is Indiana's first international player, Martyna Popik, from Poland. Popik is the daughter of a Polish mens' elite team head coach and has been around volleyball her whole life.
"We have a lot of options on the outside that bring us increased versatility; a great advantage that allows us to run all kinds of offense," said Dunbar.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
It's a three-women race between Pierce, Langert and Miller for the libero position, but with all expected to serve as a defensive specialist. Pierce has to be the favorite for the right to wear the libero jersey due to her 381 digs in '06, the fourth highest single-season totals in Hoosier history. Coach Dunbar believes defense wins championships at this level, therefore, all three will see extended time on the floor.
"That gritty, all-out, tenacious type of volleyball is the style I like my team to play," said Dunbar. "And I think all three of these young women play that way. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out."
STAT WATCH
Annie Moddrell's 226 career block assists are already the 12th highest total in school history. Her current hitting efficiency of .265 would place her fourth all-time.
Erica Short needs 343 kills to crack the top ten and Lauren Ditteon's first two service aces will place her name in the career IU record books as well.
Players Mentioned
