Indiana University Athletics
IU Volleyball Season is Officially Underway
8/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 10, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -
Indiana Volleyball has officially begun the 2009 season, hitting the courts for their first team practice on Monday.
PHOTO GALLERY FROM FIRST PRACTICE
The regular season starts on August 28 as the Hoosiers head to Texas for three matches on the University of Houston campus.
SEASON PREVIEW
CHALLENGING NON-CONFERNCE SCHEDULE PREPS IU FOR BIG TEN
Indiana Volleyball is looking to "Make It Happen" in 2009 and take the next step as a program by advancing to postseason play after having their NCAA Tournament bubble burst last season.
"We've gotten to the point as a program where we no longer hope to make the tournament, we expect it," said Head Coach Sherry Dunbar. "That is something we anticipate every year now."
The Hoosiers' quest for postseason play begins with four preseason tournaments, pitting IU against 14 non-conference opponents. Indiana will face some quality competition during the first four weeks of the season with six NCAA qualifiers from a year ago on the docket.
First up is a trip to Texas for a three-match weekend on the University of Houston campus. Indiana's second road trip sits two weeks later when the Hoosiers head to Athens, Ohio to play four matches at a tournament hosted by 2008 MAC Champion Ohio University.
Indiana will once again host a pair of home tournaments, taking place during the second and fourth weekends of the season. Both events will be played at University Gym, taking full advantage of the home-court advantage U-Gym provides. Arguably the biggest nonconference match of the year comes on Sept. 4 when the Wildcats of Kentucky make a visit to Bloomington.
"Coach (Craig) Skinner and I went to college together and wanted to carry the IU-UK basketball rivalry over to the volleyball court. It's going to be great to bring in a national name like Kentucky to University Gym."
A core of six returners will be looked upon to provide leadership in '09 as eight newcomers join them on the very young roster. With all of the incoming talent, including a recruiting class ranked No. 22 in the country, team depth in the frontcourt is the best it has been in years.
"Our right-side and outside hitter positions are up for grabs heading into preseason practice. For the first time since I was hired at IU two years ago, we truly have quality depth in both of these positions. I'm excited to see how it all shakes out."
THE FIGHT FOR TIME ON THE RIGHT (SIDE) WILL BE INTENSE
Competing for time on the right-side are freshman Kelci Marschall and Shawn Hindman, along with Whitney Thomas, a four-year star for the IU Women's Basketball team. Taylor Wittmer provides another option for Coach Dunbar and her staff as she played right-side last year, but could see time as a blocker this season as she did in 2007.
"Adding Whitney Thomas late is obviously a huge get for us because she brings athletic ability, experience, strength and plays at a high level despite the four-year hiatus from the sport of volleyball. Kelci and Shawn both hit the ball really well and have a shot to play. Kelci has been a vocal leader right away while Shawn provides us with versatility playing both right-side and outside."
FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
On the outside, Hoosier fans can expect to see a lot of Kelsey Hall and Jordan Haverly. Hall is the lone senior on the team and will rarely leave the court this season while Haverly was a top-20 recruit coming out of high school in 2008 before originally signing to play at Nebraska.
"Jordan and Kelsey are true outside hitters that can be primary passers and terminators on the outside. The biggest thing for Kelsey is keeping her healthy from August through December. We need her play-making ability and experience on the court."
"With Jordan, we feel like she has mentally and physically gotten a break with the year off. She is as motivated as any anybody entering our program and wants to be a part of something special."
Hindman, sophomore Jessica Weeg and freshman Ivie Obeime will also compete for time at the outside hitter position.
"Jess always comes in expecting to win no matter what we are doing and that's the kind of attitude that pushes our program to a different level. Ivie has made huge strides since joining the team in the spring. Her confidence level rises every time she steps on the court, which is helping her play at a higher level."
THE BLOCKING BRIGADE
Frontcourt depth continues in the middle as Coach Dunbar has three legitimate middle blockers at her disposal. All-Big Ten selection Ashley Benson highlights the trio which also includes Wittmer and freshman Samantha Thrower. All three Hoosiers are expected to see time on the court, depending on different situations and opponent match-ups.
"Ashley's confidence is as high as ever, and she should be expected to be one of the top middles in the Big Ten. She had a great offseason training with the U.S. National A2 team."
"We love that Taylor can play both middle and right-side. She calls herself a utility player and she truly is. She gives herself more opportunities to get on the floor by playing both positions"
"Every time I saw Samantha play club ball this past season, I saw her make dramatic improvements. I definitely think she can help our program this season."
GETTING `DIG'GY WITH IT
Moving to the Hoosier backcourt, Big Ten All-Freshman team honoree Caitlin Cox will don the libero jersey for the Cream and Crimson. She'll be joined in the backcourt by freshman Laura Matula.
"Caitlin knows what type of leadership role we want her to assume in our program and her purpose for being in an Indiana uniform. In the spring, she became a lot more consistent in her passing."
"Laura has the opportunity to play a lot her freshman year. She has good foot speed and is very aggressive on defense. She is going to force us to play her more and more as the season goes on."
SET UP FOR SUCCESS
Guiding the offensive attack from the setter position in 2009 will be a combination of sophomore Mary Chaudoin and freshman Whitney Granado. Whether the Hoosiers choose to run a 5-1 or 6-2 offense, both setters will likely play significant time depending on what skill sets are needed for that particular opponent or situation.
"Mary has really taken the bull by the horns in terms of leadership this offseason, especially off the court. On the court, she worked extensively with Coach Schunzel with hand positioning and footwork. She is confident in her ability to run the show."
"Whitney is a typical California setter ... more than a setter, she's an all-around volleyball player. She can hit, she can play defense and is a quiet leader on the court. She has a presence which demands the attention of her teammates."
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
The biggest obstacle to success in 2009 for Indiana Volleyball may simply be finding the right mix of players at the right time. The talent and athletic ability is there, the chemistry and cohesiveness must be built.
"This team is a group of players realizing it's not about them, it's about something bigger than them. They are determined and ready to push this program to the next level."
