Indiana University Volleyball Team: Volleyball Seniors Say Farewell to University Gym
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana University volleyball team (19-11, 7-11 Big Ten) concludes the 2010 regular season this weekend, playing host to #10 Illinois (22-6, 14-4) Friday night and the Wisconsin Badgers (16-13, 5-13) in a Saturday night showdown. Both contests are scheduled for 7 p.m. first serves. IUHoosiers.com will be providing a live audio broadcast for both matches.
Following the completion of Saturday's match, seniors Ashley Benson, Taylor Wittmer, Martyna Popik and several support staff members will be honored in a "Senior Night" presentation.
Indiana split the road trip involving these same two opponents earlier this season, blasting the Badgers in a sweep before dropping a 3-1 decision in Champaign to the Fighting Illini the next night. This weekend marks the Hoosiers' final opportunity to beef up their NCAA resume and impress the selection committee. With an RPI of 42 this week, Indiana is on the proverbial "bubble."
With one win this weekend, Indiana would reach the 20-win mark for the first time since 2002, which is the last time the Hoosiers advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA TOURNAMENT SELECTION SHOW
Will be aired sometime between 3-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28 on ESPNews.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Ashley Benson leaves Indiana as the best player in program history with her name etched all over the IU record books. Ashley is Indiana University's all-time leader in both blocks and hitting efficiency. Not only did she set those records, but she has distanced herself very, very far from second place. Her 599 career blocks are 78 more than the next best and by hitting .336 heading into the weekend, Ashley is 46 percentage points ahead of the previous mark. Ashley also owns the single-season records for hitting percentage and total blocks. Last season, the Bloomington, Ind., native was named the first All-American in program history, and is a lock to be selected once again following this season. Ashley has accelerated her play as a senior, ranking in the top-15 nationally for both attacking efficiency and blocking. Earlier this season, College Volleyball Update named Ashley the National Player of the Week, the second such accolade of her illustrious career.
Taylor Wittmer has undoubtedly left her mark on the IU Volleyball program. The Loogootee, Ind., native has racked up 711 kills, 380 blocks, 153 digs and 21 aces thus far in her Hoosier career. Taylor's 380 rejections rank eighth all-time in school history. Her blocking prowess has elevated to a new level this season, averaging over one stuff per set and slotting her as the 10th best blocker in the Big Ten. Taylor has done it all for Coach Dunbar and the Hoosiers, playing all three front court positions, flashing her versatility by logging extensive time at outside hitter, middle blocker and right-side hitter throughout her career. Taylor is a 2010 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient. In addition to her play on the court, Taylor has excelled in the classroom as well. The Exercise Science major is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Martyna Popik came to Bloomington from Poland as a freshman outside hitter in 2007. She became the first international player in program history when she entered a match against Belmont that first season. Tin Tin, as her teammates affectionately call her, then transitioned into her current role as the student assistant coach following shoulder surgery in 2008. Martyna is responsible for too many tasks to list them all, but to name a few, she assists with statistics, practice drills and various travel duties. Martyna proved she is a Hoosier through and through by making the most of her one set of action against the Purdue Boilermakers with two kills, three digs and a block.
