Indiana University Athletics
IU Hosts Northwestern and Illinois This Weekend
11/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 1, 2011
The Indiana University volleyball team (8-16, 0-12) returns home for four straight matches at U-Gym, starting with two this weekend. The Hoosiers will host the Northwestern Wildcats (13-10, 4-8) on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and the fifth-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini come to town on Saturday for a 7 p.m. showdown. The Hoosiers will look for redemption losses to both squads earlier in the season. The Hoosiers took a set from the Illini in the first meeting, while Illinois was the top-ranked team in the country.
BTN.com will be broadcasting the Northwestern match live, with the Voice of IU Volleyball Cody Sharrett and Eric Robbertz on the call. The Illinois match will feature live audio on IUHoosiers.com, with Sharrett and Robbertz on the call. Visit the volleyball schedule page at IUHoosiers.com for broadcast schedules and links.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Wildcats are very young, with only two seniors on the roster. They are led by sophomore Stephanie Holthus who averages 4.15 kills per set, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten this season. Redshirt freshman Katie Dutchman is second in the Big Ten with 1.41 blocks per set, and junior libero Julie Chen is second in the conference with 4.68 digs per set.
Illinois is led by seniors Michelle Bartsch and Colleen Ward, who average 3.96 and 3.61 kills per set this season respectively. Three Illini are among the Big Ten's top 10 in blocks per set this season. Redshirt freshman Anna Dorn leads the way with 1.31 per set (3rd in Big Ten), junior Erin Johnson is seventh with 1.10 per set, and freshman Liz McMahon is 10th with 1.03. Redshirt junior Annie Luhrsen is among the Big Ten's best setters, averaging 11.07 assists per set, which ranks third in the conference.
