Indiana University Athletics
Haley Armstrong: Senior Spotlight
11/23/2022 9:30:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Haley Armstrong had never stepped foot in Bloomington when Steve Aird took the head coaching job with the Indiana Volleyball program in December of 2017.
A native of Milton, Ontario, she was committed to join Aird at Maryland, some 8.5 hours away from her hometown.
She was given the chance to follow him to IU to become one of his first commits as the head coach of the Hoosiers.
When she came to campus on her visit, everything clicked for her. Armstrong was going to trade the red and white of the Canadian Junior National Team for the cream and crimson at IU.
"When I stepped foot on campus, I knew it was the place," Armstrong said.
Aird's first full signing class wouldn't come until 2020 but he put together a group in 2019 that featured Armstrong, Under Armour All-American Emily Fitzner and Ashley Zulauf.
On Nov. 25, the trio, along with Paula Cerame, will play their final regular season collegiate games in a match against Maryland.
After the schedule release this season, Armstrong admits her first thought that her final collegiate game would come against the program that she was once committed to.
"When I was younger, I always knew I wanted to play at a really high level," Armstrong said. "The volleyball in the Big Ten, especially how professional it is, was a huge indicator that I wanted to come here."
Armstrong arrived just days before the preseason in 2019, forcing her to learn the ropes of being a college student and playing Big Ten volleyball mere weeks before the season started.
The Hoosiers opened the 2019 campaign and state-of-the-art Wilkinson Hall on Aug. 30 with a doubleheader against Florida International and Marshall.
She was the starting libero that day and combined to dig 40 balls in the pair of matches as the Hoosiers jumped to a 2-0 start.
"It was a lot to take in, but I stayed grateful and knew I had the ability to play here."
After starting 11-2 in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Hoosiers stumbled to a 3-17 finish in conference play after dealing with a wrath of injuries.
She struggled to stay fit during her freshman campaign, dealing with a concussion in the middle of the season, but still played in 24 matches, digging 324 balls, and providing 88 assists and 18 aces.
During the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020-2021, Armstrong started at libero and played in all 18 matches to the tune of 209 digs and 53 assists.
Armstrong has transitioned into a different role these past two seasons, becoming a leader as Paula Cerame took over the reins at libero.
She, along with her other two four-year seniors, has provided IU a much-needed boost when the program needed it the most.
"We've gone through a lot, us three," Armstrong said. "Coaching changes. Player changes. Different seasons. We've gone through tough times but also really fun and amazing moments."
When she committed to IU, Armstrong was determined to help IU change the culture inside and outside the program.
The groundwork to do that was laid by Aird's first recruiting class with Zulauf, Fitzner and Armstrong.
IU will return six starters next year and add one of the nation's best liberos to the program. In 2022 alone, the Hoosiers went on a four-game winning streak in the conference for the first time since 2008 and have four road wins in the conference for the first time since 2009.
Despite not playing as much, Armstrong's role is invaluable in the culture and mentality shift in the program.
"My goal was to change this program and culture. Whatever leadership role that looks like, if I can contribute in one way or another, I will."
Career Numbers (as of Nov. 16):
- 73 Matches Played
- 705 Digs
- 41 Aces
- 156 Assists
Her Thoughts:
On her time with IU:
"I've learned about how I am as a leader and a teammate. I know the type of person I am and who I want to be."
On the senior class:
"We're all going to look back when we graduate and see that we did something here. We changed something here."
The Future:
Armstrong's roots with the Canadian National Team run deep and would love to continue playing as her home nation pushes for a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
After volleyball, she plans to put her management degree to use in the business world.
A native of Milton, Ontario, she was committed to join Aird at Maryland, some 8.5 hours away from her hometown.
She was given the chance to follow him to IU to become one of his first commits as the head coach of the Hoosiers.
When she came to campus on her visit, everything clicked for her. Armstrong was going to trade the red and white of the Canadian Junior National Team for the cream and crimson at IU.
"When I stepped foot on campus, I knew it was the place," Armstrong said.
Aird's first full signing class wouldn't come until 2020 but he put together a group in 2019 that featured Armstrong, Under Armour All-American Emily Fitzner and Ashley Zulauf.
On Nov. 25, the trio, along with Paula Cerame, will play their final regular season collegiate games in a match against Maryland.
After the schedule release this season, Armstrong admits her first thought that her final collegiate game would come against the program that she was once committed to.
"When I was younger, I always knew I wanted to play at a really high level," Armstrong said. "The volleyball in the Big Ten, especially how professional it is, was a huge indicator that I wanted to come here."
Armstrong arrived just days before the preseason in 2019, forcing her to learn the ropes of being a college student and playing Big Ten volleyball mere weeks before the season started.
The Hoosiers opened the 2019 campaign and state-of-the-art Wilkinson Hall on Aug. 30 with a doubleheader against Florida International and Marshall.
She was the starting libero that day and combined to dig 40 balls in the pair of matches as the Hoosiers jumped to a 2-0 start.
"It was a lot to take in, but I stayed grateful and knew I had the ability to play here."
After starting 11-2 in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Hoosiers stumbled to a 3-17 finish in conference play after dealing with a wrath of injuries.
She struggled to stay fit during her freshman campaign, dealing with a concussion in the middle of the season, but still played in 24 matches, digging 324 balls, and providing 88 assists and 18 aces.
During the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020-2021, Armstrong started at libero and played in all 18 matches to the tune of 209 digs and 53 assists.
Armstrong has transitioned into a different role these past two seasons, becoming a leader as Paula Cerame took over the reins at libero.
She, along with her other two four-year seniors, has provided IU a much-needed boost when the program needed it the most.
"We've gone through a lot, us three," Armstrong said. "Coaching changes. Player changes. Different seasons. We've gone through tough times but also really fun and amazing moments."
When she committed to IU, Armstrong was determined to help IU change the culture inside and outside the program.
The groundwork to do that was laid by Aird's first recruiting class with Zulauf, Fitzner and Armstrong.
IU will return six starters next year and add one of the nation's best liberos to the program. In 2022 alone, the Hoosiers went on a four-game winning streak in the conference for the first time since 2008 and have four road wins in the conference for the first time since 2009.
Despite not playing as much, Armstrong's role is invaluable in the culture and mentality shift in the program.
"My goal was to change this program and culture. Whatever leadership role that looks like, if I can contribute in one way or another, I will."
Career Numbers (as of Nov. 16):
- 73 Matches Played
- 705 Digs
- 41 Aces
- 156 Assists
Her Thoughts:
On her time with IU:
"I've learned about how I am as a leader and a teammate. I know the type of person I am and who I want to be."
On the senior class:
"We're all going to look back when we graduate and see that we did something here. We changed something here."
The Future:
Armstrong's roots with the Canadian National Team run deep and would love to continue playing as her home nation pushes for a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
After volleyball, she plans to put her management degree to use in the business world.
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