Indiana volleyball headed to the Chanticleer Classic looking to build confidence and momentum during its final non-conference weekend before Big Ten play. Coastal Carolina was searching for its first win against a ranked team entering its matchup with Indiana.
Despite winning match one, Indiana and head coach Steve Aird will still have things to improve upon through the rest of the Chanticleer Classic. Indiana ultimately finalized the match with a 25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 25-15 victory.
Indiana started the first set on a heater, opening with a 6-0 run highlighted by three service aces from Teodora Krickovic and forcing Coastal Carolina to take its first timeout.
The Chanticleers managed to hang around with the Hoosiers, consistently keeping the score within five points. However, Indiana’s offense, led by Kiki Granberry’s four kills, proved too much for Coastal Carolina to handle. The Hoosiers went on to win the set 25-14.
Set two started as a much tighter affair compared to the first. Indiana and Coastal Carolina traded points and the lead throughout the early stages. Indiana leaned on Jaidyn Jager and Sara Snowbarger’s offense to take a 15-11 lead at the break.
Coastal Carolina kept the set close thanks to efforts from Welker and Hughes, who recorded three kills apiece. Ultimately, though, Indiana pulled away to win the set 25-18.
The third set belonged to the Chanticleers early, as they jumped out to an 8-3 lead. Indiana clawed its way back behind Granberry and Jager, who continued to provide consistent offense.
Despite the offensive efforts, Indiana struggled to get out of its own way. Entering the break down 15-10, the Hoosiers had already committed 14 service errors in the match.
That, coupled with consistent offense from Anna Rita, proved too much for Indiana to overcome. Fittingly, the set ended on an Indiana service error, giving Coastal Carolina a 25-21 victory.
In the fourth and final set, Indiana started with its foot on the gas, cruising to a 13-4 lead. The Hoosiers’ serving improved in the set, with sophomore Audrey Jackson helping Indiana put together a 5-0 scoring run.
Indiana remained relentless and did not allow Coastal Carolina to mount a comeback. The Hoosiers committed just one service error in the set, helping them secure the match with a convincing 25-15 victory.
Indiana picked up a much needed win to continue to build confidence heading into the gauntlet that is the Big Ten schedule.
“The schedule is filled with really, really elite teams,” Steve Aird said after the Eastern Illinois game. “We are going to have to find a way to play a little cleaner, connected, and I think we will.”
Coastal Carolina has yet to earn a win against a ranked opponent. Meanwhile, Indiana’s spirit and teamwork will need to continue to evolve before Big Ten play begins.
The Hoosiers will need to clean up their service errors and eliminate the inconsistency before opening Big Ten play against UCLA on Sept. 24 at Wilkinson Hall.
