Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Minnesota
Hoosiers Battle to Victory over Minnesota
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
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Site: University Gym (Bloomington, Ind.) Score: Indiana 3, Minnesota 1 Records: IU (14-9, 5-6 Big Ten), Minnesota (14-8, 4-7 Big Ten) Next IU Game: Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (Bloomington, Ind.), 7 p.m. ET Related Links: Box Score • Highlights |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Facing five Minnesota set points in the fourth set, the Indiana volleyball team kept battling and on a service ace from sophomore Megan Tallman, the Hoosiers won an epic 35-33 fourth set to beat the Golden Gophers, 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-20, 35-33) Wednesday at University Gym.
The Hoosiers (14-9, 5-6 Big Ten) beat Minnesota for the first time since the 2010 season and the fourth time in the last 14 years. IU now has more Big Ten wins this season than the past two seasons combined.
It was a balanced attack for IU as six players registered at least eight kills in the match, led by junior Amelia Anderson with 15. Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Lebo picked up her ninth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 14 digs.
The defensive effort was led by junior libero Courtney Harnish, who tallied 21 digs, turning defense into offense for setters Megan Tallman and Makayla Lundin, who combined for 55 assists. Harnish also contributed a career-high eight assists.
Minnesota (14-8, 4-7) came out on fire in the opening set as they connected on 14 kills and just one error for a .520 hitting percentage and won set one 25-18.
In set two, the Hoosiers defense picked up with sophomore middle blocker Jazzmine McDonald recording four blocks, and with six errors in the set. IU held Minnesota to a .062 hitting percentage, while the Hoosiers hit .225.
After coming back from the intermission following set two, the Hoosiers got out to a 10-6 lead in set three on a block from McDonald and Lundin. IU maintained their lead with a defensive presence that kept Minnesota to a .081 hitting percentage and claimed set three to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Set four featured 17 ties and three lead changes with neither team giving in to the other. The Hoosiers posted 25 kills in the set and with the score tied 9-9, IU used a crucial 6-1 run to open up a 15-10 lead. Minnesota would score 10 of the next 15 points to tie the score 20-20.
The set went back and fourth with each team fighting off set points by the other, until with the set even at 33-33, Lebo connected on her 11th kill of the match and Tallman floated a ball down the sideline for an ace to give the Hoosiers the set and the match victory.
Up next the Hoosiers host No. 4 Wisconsin on Saturday Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. at University Gym.
Media Contact: Jeremy Rosenthal, jr359@indiana.edu
