WILKINSON HALL (IUSTV Sports) – Following four games on the road, with a record of 1-3, Indiana returned to Wilkinson Hall to face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Hoosiers began the match searching for a win to earn a winning record in Big Ten play. With only a week separating their last win against Rutgers, Friday night was no different.
Starting in the first set, Indiana came out swinging. Sophomore Candela Alonso-Corcelles had six kills, while graduate student Kaley Rammelsberg hit .667 with five kills. Despite the attacks, the Hoosiers failed to start strong, a recurring theme in the season. However, uncharacteristically, the Hoosiers struggled from behind the line with five service errors, compared to only three for the Scarlet Knights. The set remained tight up until the end, with back-and-forth scores finishing out at 25-22, with a big swing from Rammelsburg.
The point-by-point trend continued until the middle of the second set. Senior Morgan Geddes scored her first point of the game to push Indiana back to a tie, 8-8. A set of trading errors and kills, the Hoosiers fought to keep their lead, but couldn’t keep the ball in play. Finally, finding some defensive momentum, the front line combined for five blocks. Holding Rutgers to a -.037 hitting percentage, Indiana took the second set 25-19.
Senior middle blocker Savannah Kjolhede racked up four blocks across the first two sets, half of the team total. Additionally, setter Camryn Haworth created 25 assists.
A full student section propelled the Hoosiers to fire it up in the third. Alonso-Corecelles and Rammelsberg assisted two blocks in the first five Indiana points. Finally controlling the pace, the Hoosiers forced a timeout ahead 7-3. Not backing down, they continued to power through the third set, winning 25-17. They ended the third with a powerful .652 hitting percentage on the set.
Sweeping the match, the Indiana team joined for a total of 13 blocks on the night. Heading the team’s .375 hitting percentage, Alonso-Corecelles had 13 kills, while Rammelsberg and sophomore Avry Tatum had nine kills apiece. Sweeping the season’s matchups with the Scarlet Knights, Indiana advanced their series record to 17-1.
Now 8-7 in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers look to gain ground in the conference with their next match against Minnesota. They will be back in Wilkinson Hall on Sunday at 1, looking to make it a 2-0 home weekend.
