Indiana University
Bucknell
Unblemished Record Extended for IU Volleyball
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2010
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Hoosier Volleyball is off to its best start in 13 years, improving to 10-0 on the season with two more victories on Saturday to wrap up its third tournament title in as many weekends. The last time IU won their first 10 contests was during the 1999 campaign.
Indiana's pair of sweeps on Saturday came at Niagara (25-18, 25-9, 25-15) and vs. Bucknell (25-14, 25-10, 25-18). The Hoosiers allowed the opposition to score 20 points in a set just two times all weekend long as IU rolled through 12 consecutive winning sets.
Ashley Benson was down right ridiculous against Niagara, converting 17 of 18 swings into kills with just one error, good for an astounding .889 hitting efficiency. Kelci Marschall sliced up the Purple Eagle defense as well, compiling 10 kills at a .474 attacking clip. It was a balanced effort in the defensive backcourt as five different Hoosiers dug five or more balls, including a team-high nine digs by setter Mary Chaudoin.
Indiana commenced an aerial assault from the service line versus Bucknell, bombarding the Bison with 11 aces. That total is the highest for IU in a three-set match since 1993, and the third most ever. Jordan Haverly and Melanie Hicks were the most accurate assassins, combining for nine aces. Haverly's five bullets placed her name in the school record books, giving her a share of second-most aces in a three-setter. The last player to do so was Hayley Koetter back in 2008 vs. Eastern Kentucky.
For the tournament, Benson hit an unheard of .629 while averaging 4.45 kills per set. She also chipped in 11 blocks, 18 digs and an ace. The Bloomington, Ind., native was named to the All-Tournament team once again and will in all likelihood be named the MVP as well once all the votes have been tallied.
Just one more week of nonconference play sits between now and the Sept. 22 showdown with arch-rival Purdue. The conference's first match of the year will be aired lived on the Big Ten Network, starting at 7 p.m.
