Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Wake Forest
Hoosiers Open Tournament With Back-to-Back Sweeps
9/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 5, 2008
Final Stats
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team defeated Wake Forest 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-19) on Friday night, their second sweep of the day after dominating Valparaiso earlier in the day. The Hoosier offense kept rolling in the night cap, hitting at a .323 pace.
Erica Short added 16 kills after connecting on a three-set school-record 24 kills in IU's sweep of Valparaiso in the afternoon match. The Orrville, Ohio native notched six digs and four blocks (two solo) as well. Ashley Benson was another key cog in the offensive onslaught, hitting .478 (12-1-23). She also tallied four blocks. Juli Pierce continued her stellar backcourt defense, nabbing 11 digs. Indiana stymied the Crusader offense, smothering them to a .000 hitting efficiency for the match.
"Putting up a big block has been a big key for us in this tournament so far," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "Our passing has also been very good."
Valparaiso grabbed the first three points of the match to put the Hoosiers in an early hole. That bad stretch for IU wouldn't last for long, however, as they ripped off nine of the next 12 points for a 9-6 advantage. Indiana continued to increase their lead throughout the opening set, finishing with a 25-15 victory. Short pounded home six kills in the set.
The Crusaders were able to jump ahead 3-0 in the second set again before Indiana's offense took over. Benson swatted five kills in the set while Hayley Koetter and Mary Chaudoin combined for 14 assists in the frame. Indiana's offense hit a blistering .433 (16-3-30) en route to a 25-13 domination.
"Ashley's (Benson) been getting better and better," said Dunbar. "She is an amazing athlete and she is really starting to understand the game. She is winning matches for us and playing with an extreme competitive intensity."
Indiana dug themselves a hole to begin set number three as well, falling behind 4-1. Valparaiso kept it close through the midway point of the set with a 13-13 tie. The Cream and Crimson then began to heat up again, especially Short and her six put-aways in the final stanza. Indian's defense was superb as well, recording four team rejections in the 25-19 clincher.
The Hoosiers look for a tournament sweep on Saturday at 3 PM when they take on the Louisville Cardinals (2-1). The match will be held inside Assembly Hall and admission is free. Live play-by-play audio will be available right here at IUHoosiers.com. Matt Taylor is slated to call the action.
"We are going to have to play well to win tomorrow," said Dunbar. "Louisville has a great blocking front and are receiving votes for the top 25."
Players Mentioned
