Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Minnesota
Hoosiers Take Out #13 Minnesota For Fourth Straight Win
11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team captured their fourth consecutive win Saturday night, downing #13 Minnesota in a five-set thriller (22-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 15-9). It marks the fifth Hoosier victory in their last six contests.
"We came through at the end just swinging hard, stepping into it and playing to win," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "We dug some unbelievable balls down the stretch. Our girls played with so much confidence."
Four different Hoosiers posted double-digit kill totals, including Erica Short's match-high 23 put-aways. Ashley Benson and Taylor Wittmer each connected on 15 kills while Kelsey Hall recorded 11. Indiana out-dug the Golden Gophers 70 to 54, led by Caitlin Cox's 23 digs. Short posted another double-double by adding 16 digs as well. Arguably the most impressive stat of the night may have been Cox's four aces, however.
"She (Caitlin Cox) knows how to win, so you want her on the service line when the game is one the line," said Dunbar. "She is going to go after it. She is not just going to aim for the zone, she is going for the ace. She plays to win, and it's infectious out on the court."
After a 22-25 setback in the opener, the Hoosiers revved up the offense in set number two, hitting .355 en route to a 25-22 decision in their favor. Wittmer swatted six kills in the set, hitting at a .444 pace. Hayley Koetter led the charge with 12 second-set assists. Indiana's final two points came via kills by Short and Wittmer.
The Cream and Crimson were forced to counter once again when Minnesota regained a one-set lead after taking the third frame, 25-19. Indiana's response was a gritty fourth-set effort that saw them climb out of a big hole late in the set. Trailing 15-20, the Hoosiers won seven of the next nine points to even the score at 22-all. Setter Mary Chaudoin followed a Minnesota attack error with a crafty swing that landed in Gopher territory for the 24-22 edge. The Hoosier trio of Chaudoin, Benson and Short then combined for a set-ending triple block.
For the second night in a row, Indiana was heading to a fifth set after establishing a big-time comeback. The result would prove to be the same as the night before, an Indiana triumph. Benson and Short each recorded four kills while a plethora of Hoosiers gathered digs roaming the backcourt. Pierce and Cox each dug four balls and the duo of Benson and Short combined for five digs. Indiana led 8-5 when the teams exchanged sides thanks to another kill by Short. That three-point margin was as close as it would get. Leading 12-9, IU ripped off the final three points to clinch the victory over the nationally-ranked Gophers. Benson played a role in all three points, smoking two kills and combining with Chaudoin for the 15th-point block.
"We're in a great spot (in the standings) right now," said Dunbar. "We have to stay focused and keep working hard in practice. But we are not to our goal yet. We need to keep at it and continue to improve."
The Hoosiers are back in action on Nov. 5 when they travel to Pennsylvania for a showdown with defending national champion and top-ranked Penn State. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and a live audio broadcast will be available at IUHoosiers.com.
Players Mentioned
