Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
SEMO
Hoosiers Sweep SEMO in Tournament Opener
9/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team (2-2) opened the 2011 IU Classic by sweeping the RedHawks of Southeast Missouri State in straight sets (25-21, 26-24, 33-31). Indiana attacked at a .266 clip while holding SEMO to a .171 hitting efficiency.
The Hoosier offense was powered by setter Whitney Granado and the triple threat of Morgan Leach, Kelci Marschall and Lindsay Enterline that combined by 38 kills and a .390 attack percentage. Granado dished out 46 assists in total, 15 going to Marschall and 14 via the right arm of Leach. Enterline terminated nine balls on the night (eight kills, one block).
Marschall contributed in a big way defensively as well, securing a double-double with 16 digs and recording three blocks on the night. Caitlin Cox averaged over six digs per set, totaling 19 for the match. Samantha Thrower was IU's top force at the night, stuffing four SEMO attack attempts.
Indiana came out firing in the opening set, racking up 16 kills and hitting just under .300. The aforementioned trio each finished off three kills apiece in the 25-21 IU winner.
The offense shifted into a higher gear the following set, swinging at a .457 clip in the second stanza with 19 kills. SEMO's attack was rolling as well, however, forcing extra points to determine the frame. Trailing 23-24, back-to-back-back kills by the Marschall-Enterline-Leach combo drove the Cream and Crimson to a two-sets-to-none lead at intermission.
The third and final set was a crazy one, eventually ending in a 33-31 clincher for Indiana. While the Marschall-Enterline-Leach continued to roll with a combined 17 kills in the third, it was Jade Henderson who carried the offensive load down the stretch. The Cincinnati, Ohio native connected for three kills, all coming AFTER the 25-point mark. Henderson saved a pair of SEMO match points and created one for the Hoosiers. The contest would not likely have gotten to extra points if not for the stellar play of Cox in the back row, however. Indiana's libero picked up 11 digs in the final set alone, often getting her jersey dirty with diving saves throughout the set. Ultimately, Leach put away her 14th kills of the night to seal IU's 3-0 sweep.
Head Coach Sherry Dunbar's Hoosiers are slated for a pair of matches Saturday to complete the IU Classic. Indiana will face Youngstown State at noon and Buffalo in the nightcap at approximately 7:30 pm.
