WILKINSON HALL (IUSTV Sports) – Returning to Wilkinson Hall for the second time this weekend, Indiana volleyball hosted Minnesota on Sunday. Coming off of a win against Rutgers on Friday, the Hoosiers looked to take home a win and advance their ranking in the Big Ten.
Indiana attempted to reverse their ways and start the match off on a winning note. A strong start to the first set forced a Minnesota timeout as Indiana led 11-7. Finding their footing behind the line again, the Hoosiers racked up five aces, with two from junior Kenzie Daffinee. Minnesota's poor defense at the net allowed Indiana to take advantage, recording 13 kills in the first set alone. Candela Alonso-Corcelles led the charge with eight kills of her own, three of them in consecutive points.
The Hoosiers took a surprising dominance in the first, winning 25-13. They held Minnesota to a low .167 hitting percentage, while maintaining .483 themselves.
The talented Golden Gophers squad didn’t back down, keeping the second set close from the jump. With seven kills in the first 20 set points, Indiana took a timeout to reset. A kill, followed by a service ace coming out of the timeout, set the precedent for the Hoosiers to fight back. However, they were unable to overcome the unforced errors, falling 32-30 in the second.
The second set showcased the matchup fans were expecting, with back and forth set points. Minnesota battled it out, earning just two more kills and one ace over the Hoosiers.
Mid-game news of Indiana men’s soccer winning the Big Ten Championship sparked some fire in the arena. With more Minnesota hands at the net, Indiana was able to tool off the block and mix up shots on their swings. The Hoosiers played their game and kept their cool. 16 kills later, the Hoosiers took away the third set 25-19, leading 2 sets to 1.
The fourth set began with Minnesota control. After slowly chipping away point by point, Indiana was able to come back to tie it at 17-17. A defensive surge was responsible for their comeback, as the net produced four blocks, graduate student Kaley Rammelsberg being a part of each. Two late service aces from Avry Tatum weren’t enough as Minnesota took home the close fourth set 25-23.
Minnesota carried momentum to the fifth, adding three early blocks. After switching sides, Indiana called a timeout down 4-8. Following the timeout, Indiana came out swinging with two kills from senior outside hitter Morgan Geddes, separated with a block by the Savannah Kjolhede and Tatum duo. Despite holding the Golden Gophers to a .000 hitting percentage, Indiana wasn’t able to finish out strong. Minnesota took home the final set 15-12, and the overall match 3 sets to 2.
Regardless of the loss, Indiana did a lot well throughout the match. Alonso-Corcelles broke her personal best kill record with 24. Additionally, junior setter Camryn Haworth earned her career high assist record with 58.
Indiana has a much needed week of rest before returning home on Friday to take on the Maryland Terrapins at 6 p.m. Indiana will look to continue their winning season.
