Indiana University Athletics
2018 Volleyball Season in Review
12/10/2018 1:31:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana volleyball team took a step forward in the 2018 season and look forward to getting back to work for the 2019 campaign.
"Our program took a step forward this year and we are certainly proud of the hard work and effort," IU head coach Steve Aird said. "That being said, we have miles to go. You have to compete at an elite level every week to climb in this conference and although we showed glimpses, we need to develop in many areas. That is not something that happens in a few months, it is a process. It starts with belief and vision and takes tons of hard work and commitment from everyone involved.
The Hoosiers started the season with a 9-2 mark in non-conference play with their only two losses coming to NCAA tournament qualifier Northern Iowa and Texas A&M. Indiana secured a win over NCAA qualifier Cincinnati.
Indiana began Big Ten play with a win over Northwestern to improve to 10-2. In the second week of the conference slate the Hoosiers lost one of their best players, Kendall Beerman to an injury.
The Hoosiers went on the road and beat Ohio State for their first win in Columbus since 2008 and later completed the season sweep over the Buckeyes for the third time in 30 years. By the seventh week of the season the first NCAA RPI came out and Indiana was ranked 44.
Indiana beat No. 14 Michigan at home on Oct. 31 and despite five losses in five sets in conference play they had a chance the last week of the season to make the NCAA tournament.
"It takes changing perception, setting standards and working every day to get there," Aird said. "We had some nice wins and pushed some excellent programs to five games both at home and away. Despite youth and injury, we were tough to play against and that was an important step. Our players developed and improved as the year progressed. The team battled and had a chance at the post season in the last week of Big Ten play. That was another important step for this program."
The Hoosiers saw record crowds come out and support the team in Bloomington. Indiana had a sellout in their match vs. Purdue and set a new average season attendance record for University Gym.
With a new year on the horizon and moving into a new arena in the coming weeks, the program is excited to keep building for the future.
"The crowds were great all year and we owe a lot of gratitude to our student section and IU fans for their support," Aird said. "We are excited to get into our new arena soon, recruiting has been exceptional and the support from IU is second to none. 2018 taught us a lot and we are already working hard on preparations for the 2019 campaign."
2018 Season Accomplishments
Team
Went from 12-20 overall record and 1-19 in the Big Ten in 2017 to 16-15 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten in 2018
The seven Big Ten wins are the most since the 2010 season
First ranked win (Beat #14 Michigan) since the 2016 season
Beat Ohio State in Columbus for the first time since 2010
Swept the season series against Ohio State for the third time in the last 30 years
Went from 277th in total blocks in 2017 to 15th in 2018
Went from 273rd in blocks per set in 2017 to 36th in 2018
45 solo blocks in 2017 to 115 solo blocks in 2018
188 total blocks in 2017 to 309 total blocks in 2018
Most total blocks since the 2010 season
Individual
Bayli Lebo single season digs program record (525)
Bayli Lebo Big Ten only single season digs program record (333)
Deyshia Lofton fifth best single season hitting percentage in program history (.336)
Hayden Huybers fourth best hitting percentage in Big Ten only matches in program history (.334)
Breana Edwards most kills for a freshman since 2009 (360)
Breana Edwards tied for second for solo blocks for a freshman in program history (28)
Breana Edwards eighth most solo blocks in Big Ten only matches in program history (19)
Deyshia Lofton moved into fourth on the all-time program list for career solo blocks (67)
"Our program took a step forward this year and we are certainly proud of the hard work and effort," IU head coach Steve Aird said. "That being said, we have miles to go. You have to compete at an elite level every week to climb in this conference and although we showed glimpses, we need to develop in many areas. That is not something that happens in a few months, it is a process. It starts with belief and vision and takes tons of hard work and commitment from everyone involved.
The Hoosiers started the season with a 9-2 mark in non-conference play with their only two losses coming to NCAA tournament qualifier Northern Iowa and Texas A&M. Indiana secured a win over NCAA qualifier Cincinnati.
Hoosiers win their third five set match of the season! #GoIU #IUVB pic.twitter.com/0qDm7Xt3xI
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) September 15, 2018
Indiana began Big Ten play with a win over Northwestern to improve to 10-2. In the second week of the conference slate the Hoosiers lost one of their best players, Kendall Beerman to an injury.
The Hoosiers went on the road and beat Ohio State for their first win in Columbus since 2008 and later completed the season sweep over the Buckeyes for the third time in 30 years. By the seventh week of the season the first NCAA RPI came out and Indiana was ranked 44.
Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes on the road! pic.twitter.com/JllpoZFzlP
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) September 27, 2018
Indiana beat No. 14 Michigan at home on Oct. 31 and despite five losses in five sets in conference play they had a chance the last week of the season to make the NCAA tournament.
A Hoosier Halloween indeed!
— NCAA Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) November 1, 2018
With a rowdy student section at its back, @IndianaVB spooked No. 14 Michigan for the program's first win against a ranked foe since 2016.#NCAAVB pic.twitter.com/aIIDpGSvjG
Indiana takes set four to upset No. 14 ranked Michigan! #GoIU #iuvb pic.twitter.com/AhxshDy0Rk
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) November 1, 2018
"It takes changing perception, setting standards and working every day to get there," Aird said. "We had some nice wins and pushed some excellent programs to five games both at home and away. Despite youth and injury, we were tough to play against and that was an important step. Our players developed and improved as the year progressed. The team battled and had a chance at the post season in the last week of Big Ten play. That was another important step for this program."
The Hoosiers saw record crowds come out and support the team in Bloomington. Indiana had a sellout in their match vs. Purdue and set a new average season attendance record for University Gym.
Thank you #HoosierNation ??
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) November 26, 2018
We set a University Gym record for average season attendance!
Looking forward to breaking it next year in the new arena! pic.twitter.com/NyJhbj5Z7I
With a new year on the horizon and moving into a new arena in the coming weeks, the program is excited to keep building for the future.
"The crowds were great all year and we owe a lot of gratitude to our student section and IU fans for their support," Aird said. "We are excited to get into our new arena soon, recruiting has been exceptional and the support from IU is second to none. 2018 taught us a lot and we are already working hard on preparations for the 2019 campaign."
2018 Season Accomplishments
Team
Went from 12-20 overall record and 1-19 in the Big Ten in 2017 to 16-15 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten in 2018
The seven Big Ten wins are the most since the 2010 season
First ranked win (Beat #14 Michigan) since the 2016 season
Beat Ohio State in Columbus for the first time since 2010
Swept the season series against Ohio State for the third time in the last 30 years
Went from 277th in total blocks in 2017 to 15th in 2018
Went from 273rd in blocks per set in 2017 to 36th in 2018
45 solo blocks in 2017 to 115 solo blocks in 2018
188 total blocks in 2017 to 309 total blocks in 2018
Most total blocks since the 2010 season
Individual
Bayli Lebo single season digs program record (525)
Bayli Lebo Big Ten only single season digs program record (333)
?? NEW #IUVB RECORD ??@BayliLebo holds the single season all-time record (5??1??4??) for digs. pic.twitter.com/WRFjjCxWEi
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) November 22, 2018
Deyshia Lofton fifth best single season hitting percentage in program history (.336)
Congrats Deyshia Lofton!
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) November 28, 2018
??.336 hitting percentage
??130 blocks
??281 kills
??https://t.co/bHuxwFt894#GoIU #IUVB pic.twitter.com/nxLhb3sVvR
Hayden Huybers fourth best hitting percentage in Big Ten only matches in program history (.334)
Breana Edwards most kills for a freshman since 2009 (360)
Breana Edwards tied for second for solo blocks for a freshman in program history (28)
Breana Edwards eighth most solo blocks in Big Ten only matches in program history (19)
Deyshia Lofton moved into fourth on the all-time program list for career solo blocks (67)
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Middle Blocker
/ Women's Volleyball
Defensive Specialist
/ Women's Volleyball
Middle Blocker
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