The Indiana Invitational was an excellent piece of the Hoosiers' puzzle for home-opening weekend in Wilkerson Hall. On Friday night, Eastern Illinois felt the same wrath Cal Poly felt Thursday against No. 21 Indiana. EIU had yet to win on the road, so the Hoosiers had extensive confidence preparing for this matchup. The final score resulted in the Hoosiers winning the match in three straight sets 25-16, 25-18 and 25-13.
Wilkinson Hall carried magnetic energy into the start of set one. Eastern Illinois (1-7) started up, leaving Indiana to tread the water early. Kiki Granberry was responsive to the tides, giving Indiana (5-2) some leverage, recording big blocks followed by two aces in the early days of set one. The self-inflicted errors from Eastern Illinois and these Hoosiers' fierce electricity ultimately invited sloppy volleyball to stay for the Panthers. The Hoosiers went on to take the first set 25-16. Indiana was in tip-top shape with Jaidyn Jager leading with four kills, followed by Sara Snowbarger and Kiki Granberry with three. Altogether, the Hoosiers dominated this set, with 13 kills, 11 assists, nine of those painted by Teodora Kričković, and five aces.
Set two started a bit loosely as Indiana doubled down on their performance from set one, leading with a 6-point lead. Playing at home in front of Indiana, Bloomington's reigning champion fandom makes you wonder what kind of impact this could have on Steve Aird's Hoosiers. Indiana's on-court chemistry reacted right off the bat, with Krikovic serving an ace. The momentum strings from Kričković’s sneak attacks, Hannah Leftridge's laid-out game-changing saves, Snowbarger's big swings and blocks, paired with efficient clean rotations from start to finish, ultimately gave these Panthers no chance. The Hoosiers steamrolled the Panthers quite comfortably 25-18.
“Our fanbase goes crazy,” Granberry said. “I think it really helps us and makes us confident.”
The student section was excited to be near and dear to the Indiana Hoosiers as they switched sides going into set three. Granberry recorded the first point for IU with a huge slam. Leftridge, in return, dug up 12 balls to assist her teammates. Sade Illowe snuck in a few times this match, right in time for a precise serve. The Hoosiers came back, trying Eastern Illinois with a 10-point lead. The velocity Jager produces will be a profound key to success continuing on this season, as she finished out the match with 14 kills, ending the set 25-13.
“There is absolutely nothing like playing in our home gym,” Jager said, “We are really feeling the support from everyone here.”
Indiana is ready for the looming matches lying ahead. The fanbase came out and only to bring radiating energy to these Indiana Hoosiers. Wilkinson Hall was the place to be, but Indiana will continue their ride as they hit the road for the Chanticleer Classic in Conway, S.C., facing Coastal Carolina on Sept. 18 and NC State on Sept. 19.
