Indiana University Athletics
IU Volleyball Officially Begins Season on Saturday
8/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 7, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University fall sports season is upon us, and the IU Volleyball team gets it started early Saturday morning with the first official practice. Team events are scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.
Second-year Head Coach Sherry Dunbar and her Hoosiers begin their quest for a postseason berth with the season opener at Long Beach State on Friday, August 29.
2008 SEASON PREVIEW
WHAT'S ON THE DOCKET
Head Coach Sherry Dunbar wasted no time transforming the IU Volleyball program, leading the Hoosiers to more Big Ten victories in her first season at the helm than the previous three years combined.
The next step for Indiana Volleyball is advancing to the NCAA Tournament and playing in the 12th month, December. Coach Dunbar believes her student-athletes and staff are committed to "fight for 12" and exemplify Indiana University's tremendous athletic tradition.
"If we reach the NCAA Tournament, anything can happen," said Dunbar. "We have to make that step in our program and get this program back where it should be, a national contender. "
Indiana's road to the postseason begins with the preconference schedule and a cross-country trip to Long Beach, Calif. In addition to facing the LBSU 49ers, Indiana is also slated to play Missouri State and San Francisco during the weekend tournament held inside the world-famous Walter Pyramid.
"With the Long Beach Tournament trip coming before school starts, it gives us an opportunity to head out a little early and spend time together as a team," said Dunbar. "It'll be a tough test early in the season, but that's what we need to see; the type of competition we'll face each week in the Big Ten."
Indiana will also travel to Lexington, Ky., to participate in the University of Kentucky tournament. The competition includes showdowns with the UK Wildcats, Albany and Eastern Kentucky.
"Coach (Craig) Skinner and I went to college together and since I've been here we've been talking about carrying the IU-UK basketball rivalry over to the volleyball court," said Dunbar. "He's really turned the program around and I am excited to play them this year with a return trip when they come to University Gym the year after."
Bookending the UK Tournament are a pair of home events in the adidas Classic and the IU Invitational. Louisville, Valparaiso and Wake Forest complete the field in the adidas Classic while the IU Invitational will see Ball State, Cincinnati and George Mason make a visit to Bloomington. All Saturday matches during the home tournaments will be held inside Assembly Hall, allowing Hoosier fans the chance to watch both the volleyball match and home football games.
"Teaming with the football program is a great opportunity for us to get more fans involved," said Dunbar. "If they see us play once and witness the level of competition, they'll come back and make their way over to University Gym for Big Ten matches."
The preconference schedule contains a total of five `07 NCAA Qualifiers. The list includes: Albany, Kentucky, Long Beach State, Louisville and Missouri State.
ROSTER SHAKEDOWN
A core of six returners will be joined by seven new faces for the 2008 campaign. Seniors Juli Pierce and Erica Short will be looked upon to lead the Cream and Crimson in '08. They are joined by junior Kelsey Hall and sophomores Ashley Benson, Martyna Popik and Taylor Wittmer.
"The returners got a lot closer in the spring, understanding each other and fighting for each other," said Dunbar. "They need to be role models and set a precedent for what our program is about."
Transfers Melany Rarey and Hayley Koetter bring collegiate experience to the Hoosiers, entering the season as a junior and sophomore, respectively. Five freshmen will also contribute in 2008 as Mary Chaudoin, Caitlin Cox, Danielle LaGrange, Jessica Weeg and Lexie Woodson all arrive in Bloomington with winning backgrounds, high character and great work ethics.
"It won't be easy for them (newcomers) to accept losses, they are just too competitive," said Dunbar. "That attitude is what we need to keep making steps forward. I expect them all to fight for positions, pushing the returners."
IT ALL BEGINS WITH DEFENSE
Coach Dunbar believes defense wins championships at this level, and the IU backline needs to solidify the defense in 2008. The defense will be led by Pierce following her school-record 481-dig performance a year ago. Rarey and Koetter each provide NCAA Tournament experience and will see time in the backcourt. Cox, the state of Indiana's 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year, also knows a thing or two about championship volleyball; leading her high school team to a state championship in 2007.
"Juli has gotten better, stronger and more consistent," said Dunbar. "And when you bring in one of the most competitive kids I have ever seen in Caitlin along with Mel and Hayley, they will flourish and push each other to be better players. Defense has always been a big part of my philosophy and these players will help pick up that part of the game."
IU GOES HYBRID IN FRONT COURT
Indiana's outside hitters and middle blockers cross-trained throughout the spring, working at both positions in an effort to add versatility to the Hoosier offensive attack. Benson, Hall, Short and Wittmer look to stabilize the Hoosier front court entering their second season in Coach Dunbar's system.
Benson made an instant impact on the program, stamping her name in the record books with 140 blocks in 2007. That total is the most ever for an IU frosh and the sixth highest single-season mark in school history, regardless of class. Short accumulated a team-high 479 kills, the fifth most ever at Indiana.
"Ashley made a difference in our program the moment she stepped on the court," said Dunbar. "Her athleticism makes her unstoppable when she has the right mentality.
"E(rica) has been extremely positive about training at both middle and outside; and is willing to do whatever it takes to reach our goal of playing in the NCAA Tournament. She has the right attitude to finish out her career in a big way."
Hall's biggest improvement during the offseason has come in the weight room where she made gaining strength a main concentration. Wittmer, meanwhile, is the Hoosiers' workhorse, constantly putting in work to improve her game.
"Kelsey is going to score some points for us this year and be a primary passer," said Dunbar. "We expect her to be a constant on the court and provide consistency.
"Taylor does things academically and athletically the right way, the way we want our program represented. We are a better team when she is on the floor."
A trio of freshmen will be Indiana's source for depth in the frontcourt. LaGrange and Weeg are each athletic six-footers that can play both middle and outside.
"Those two are so coachable," said Dunbar. "With their athletic ability and focused mentality, the sky is the limit."
Woodson is a low-error hitter offensively and is expected to contribute in the blocking area defensively. She comes from a lineage of her father, Mike Woodson, constructing a Hall of Fame basketball career at Indiana in the late `70s.
"They have a true love for Indiana University, and I love that about her family and Lexie," said Dunbar. "On the court, Lexie does a great job of reading setters and closing blocks."
SETTING THE TABLE
Chaudoin steps in immediately to control the reigns of the IU offense as the lone "true" setter on the roster. The 6-foot-3 Georgia native is a natural leader that adds a big block and has the ability to attack numerous balls. She teamed with fellow Hoosier Lexie Woodson in leading the A5 Mizuno club team to a 2008 USA Volleyball National Championship over the summer.
"Some kids just get how to lead, work hard and do things the right way; and Mary gets that," said Dunbar. "She's going to be a great asset for us as a setter, which is a mandatory leadership position."
CAREER STAT WATCH
With 1,192 career digs heading into the 2008 campaign, Juli Pierce's 140th dig this season will push her past Jen Magelssen (1995-98) for the highest total in school history.
Erica Short has a chance to sit atop a career statistical category by season's end as well, needing 473 put-aways to claim the top spot on IU's career kills list.
Ashley Benson is within striking distance of the top ten for both block assists and total blocks while a repeat performance of `08 (40 aces) by Pierce would place her 9th all-time in service aces.
FIGHT FOR 12
"Fight for 12" signifies the next step for our program, which is to compete in the NCAA Tournament in December (12). Our student-athletes and staff are committed to working hard and fighting to achieve that goal. We realize the athletic tradition that is "Indiana" and we want to be a part of that.
Players Mentioned
