Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Eastern Kentucky
Hoosiers Blow By Eastern Kentucky in 3-0 Sweep
9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Indiana University volleyball team improved to 6-3 on the year with a dominating performance against Eastern Kentucky, topping the Colonels 25-6, 25-16, 25-18. It marked the Hoosiers' second victory of the day and of the UK Invitational after defeating Albany earlier Saturday morning.
Ashley Benson and Erica Short were each named to the All-UK Invitational team. It marks the second time this season both have earned all-tournament team honors after doing so at the adidas Classic as well.
"It was key for us to come back and get two wins today," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "We need to keep the momentum from today and carry it into next weekend's home tournament."
Coming off a 25-9 final set versus Albany, Indiana continued to run on all cylinders in the opening set against Eastern Kentucky, routing the Colonels by the score of 25-6. The Hoosier offense did not commit a single attack error en route to hitting .583 (14-0-24). Indiana's defense was just as impressive, limiting the EKU offense to a dismal minus-.057 hitting pace aided by 17 digs and three blocks.
Freshman Jessica Weeg earned her first career start after seeing her first collegiate action in the morning match against Albany. It didn't take long for the Cincinnati, Ohio native to record her first career kill, putting one away to put IU up 11-4. Indiana's lead never dwindled below seven points the rest of the way. The Hoosiers finished the set with a nine-point winning streak, fueled by Benson's four kills during that stretch.
Indiana exploded out of the gates in the second set as well, seizing a 15-6 advantage before the Colonels took their first timeout. Benson and Short combined for nine kills and six blocks in the second stanza. Hayley Koetter was a force at the service line, recording three of her five aces on the day in leading the Hoosiers to a 25-16 victory.
A heavy dose of Benson and Short in the third set resulted in another big lead for Indiana, holding a 13-6 advantage following another Weeg kill. Caitlin Cox served as the team's libero, contributing six digs in the final set alone. Indiana rolled to a 25-18 third-set clincher, ending the match in just over an hour.
As a team, the Hoosiers totaled 47 digs and 11 blocks. Individually, Benson and Koetter each placed their names in the IU record books. Benson's nine blocks tied for the second-most ever in a three-set match while Koetter's five aces also tied for second place all-time in a three-setter.
Indiana's next competition will be a home tournament, the TIS Bookstore Invitational. Next Friday's matches will be held at University Gym while the Saturday matches are slated to be played on Branch McCracken Court inside Assembly Hall. The Cream and Crimson will take on George Mason, Cincinnati and Ball State in the event.
Players Mentioned
