Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Michigan State
Hoosiers Tripped Up in East Lansing
11/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 8, 2008
Final Stats
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Indiana University volleyball (14-12, 6-8 Big Ten) team dropped a tough one Saturday night at Michigan State (13-12, 5-9), falling to the Spartans in a four-set match (18-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-25).
Sophomores Ashley Benson and Taylor Wittmer led the way offensively, each recording double-digit kills while hitting .310 and .429, respectively. Caitlin Cox was the top dig-collector for Indiana with 11 dug balls. Benson also paced the Hoosiers with six stuffs, one solo.
An aggressive Mary Chaudoin tallied four kills on five swings in the opening set. Wittmer also started off hot as she connected on three put-aways. The score remained tight at the midway point as Michigan State held a slim 15-13 advantage. Three points later the IU deficit was trimmed to a lone point at 16-15. The Spartans then found their groove, though, putting together a run that saw them win nine of the last 12 points for the 25-18 win.
Indiana was able to dig themselves out of an early seven-point deficit (6-13) in set number two and evened the score at 22-22. Still trailing by seven at 9-16, the Hoosiers started the gradual comeback that crescendoed in the 22-22 tie following back-to-back kills by Erica Short. Michigan State then regained the lead after an IU attack error, but Wittmer pulled it even with a big kill from the left side. The Spartans were able to nab the next two points, however, and sneak out with a 25-23 second-set win.
The third set was very, very close with neither team earning a lead of more than three points. Benson was a key cog for Indiana in the third frame, racking up six kills and two blocks. Hayley Koetter set up seven Hoosier kills while running an efficient Hoosier offense that eventually nudged ahead for a 26-24 third-set winner. The set came to end thanks to a huge block by the Hoosier duo of Benson and Chaudoin for the 26th point of the set.
Michigan State came out for the fourth set running on all cylinders, hitting .545 with 15 kills. The Hoosiers fell behind much like set number two; and were unable to muster the same comeback, falling 25-15 in the final set.
The Cream and Crimson hop back on the bus next weekend for two Big Ten road matches. A pair of rivals await the Hoosiers as Purdue and Illinois are set to host Indiana. Friday night's match versus Purdue will begin at 7 p.m. while the Illinois match is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. Listen to both matches right here at IUHoosiers.com. The live audio broadcasts can be accessed via the volleyball schedule page.
Players Mentioned
