Sept. 4, 2010

Final Stats

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indian University volleyball team (5-0) snatched eight of the final nine points in the fifth set to erase a 13-8 deficit, and come away with the 16-14 (25-20, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 16-14) victory over Illinois State (3-2). It seemed like a rerun of the season-opener against Georgia Tech with IU letting a two-sets-to-none lead disappear before storming back in the final set to secure the `W.'

Ashley Benson continued to do her thing, hitting .500 with 14 kills and blocking nine balls. The senior really came alive in the fifth set, just as she did down in Atlanta, recording three kills and three stuffs to lead the Hoosiers to victory. Caitlin Cox also kept her streak alive of pacing IU in the digs category, digging 21 balls in the match.

Jordan Haverly and Mary Chaudoin each tallied double-doubles. Haverly composed hers with 17 kills and 10 digs while Chaudoin set up 50 assists and matched Haverly's 10-dig total. Kelci Marschall contributed heavily as well, blasting 14 kills.

The Hoosiers' first comeback of the night came in set number, where they found themselves in a 7-1 hole early on. From there, Indiana took 12 of the next 16 points to take a 13-11 advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the way in a 25-20 winner.

Illinois State came out of the locker room looking like a different team, winning sets three and four by scores of 25-18 and 25-20. The Redbird momentum kept coming in the fifth and final frame as ISU seized a commanding 13-8 edge.

Indiana's Ivie Obeime put a stop to the bleeding though, firing a cross-court kill to begin the IU rally. The Hoosiers pulled within one point before a kill by ISU's Mallory Leggett handed the Redbirds back-to-back match-points, leading 14-12. Following an Illinois State service error, sophomore defensive specialist Laura Matula toed the IU service line with match point staring her in the face.

The service sniper did not flinch, however, perfectly splitting two Redbird defenders for the clutch service ace and forcing an Illinois State timeout. The break in action did little to halt the Hoosier momentum as Benson and Chaudoin teamed up to seal the deal. First, was a block by the IU tandem followed by Benson's match-clinching kill set up by her teammate Chaudoin.

Indiana looks to capture their second tournament title in as many weekends, tonight at 7:30 p.m. when they take on North Carolina State for IU adidas Classic crown. The Wolfpack is also 2-0 on the weekend and 5-0 the year.