Indiana University Athletics
IU Volleyball Spring Schedule Insider
2/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Feb. 6, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team immediately began preparing for the 2008 season, getting back to work with a team meeting on the first day of springs classes. IUHoosiers.com recently stopped in at one of the team's conditioning sessions to find out what's going on and take a close look at IU Volleyball's spring schedule.
"We are expected to work hard in the spring despite some nagging injuries," said senior Erica Short. "Coach Dunbar really pushes us and I think it will help us be much better in the fall.
The conditioning and weight-lifting sessions started the very first week while 6:45 a.m. individual work-outs, three days a week, began the very next Monday. The individual work-outs will last for a month and half until the beginning of team practice on Feb. 20. The Hoosiers are scheduled to practice each morning throughout the spring season with either weights or conditioning immediately following practice.
Senior Juli Pierce, who graduates in May, had the option to walk away from all grueling early-morning training, but decided to return in the fall for her fourth and final year of eligibility while attending graduate school.
"It's easier knowing my teammates need me here, helping them through it," said Pierce. "When I was making my decision, I simply knew I wasn't done playing volleyball. These spring work-outs are getting me excited for next season."
For last season's freshmen, this is their first spring work-out with Head Coach Sherry Dunbar, and has come as a big adjustment from the high school spring schedule they have experienced in the past.
"The off-season is when Coach Dunbar really wants us to push and become a better team," said sophomore Taylor Wittmer. "She pushes me every individual (work-out) to stay positive. Bringing a positive attitude makes myself better, and in turn makes the team better.
Junior Kelsey Hall, a transfer from UCLA and California native, has not only had to adjust to the intense spring training, but also to the Midwest weather.
"I was a bit nervous when everyone was talking about blizzards and such," said Hall jokingly. "But I actually think it (snow) is cool. I like when I step on the snow and it crunches.
"Now I just have to learn this whole `dressing in layers' thing," Hall said laughing.
The spring season is not just about practice, conditioning and getting stronger, however, as the Hoosiers are set to compete during three consecutive weekends running from late March to early April. First up, the Hoosiers will travel to Kentucky for a tournament at the University of Louisville on Mar. 22.
Indiana will then host a spring tournament on Mar. 29 inside University Gym. There will be eight teams competing in two pools consisting of four teams apiece. Each pool will run a round-robin as each team players the other three teams in their respective pool. After the round-robin is completed, each team will play again in a `cross-pool' match determined by the results of the round-robin. The expected competition includes: Butler, Chicago State, Indianapolis, Indiana State, IUPUI, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.
The Cream and Crimson head north the following Saturday for the Indianapolis Collegiate Invitational on Apr. 5. Other schools expected to be there are Albany, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Purdue, St. Louis and Valparaiso.
Players Mentioned
