Three plays that kept Indiana volleyball’s defeat against Penn State competitive

After battling Friday night in Wilkinson Corridor, Indiana volleyball misplaced a detailed match to No. 16 Penn State in straight units. Wanting on the greater image, the Hoosiers solely misplaced the match by eight mixed factors.  

Listed below are three key moments of the night time that stored the sport intense and aggressive, regardless of Indiana’s loss: 

First set: Timeout at 14-10 

Early within the first set, sophomore outdoors hitter Camryn Haworth delivered a kill in opposition to a Penn State serve, placing Indiana forward 13-10. After incomes the purpose for her workforce, Haworth rotated behind the service line and dispatched a service ace.  

Moments after the play, the Nittany Lions referred to as a timeout to go over technique as they trailed 4 factors.  

It was after this huddle that the group noticed a momentum shift contained in the health club. Penn State returned to the court docket with a 3-0 run, giving it management of the set once more. Indiana continued exchanging spurts of factors with Penn State earlier than finally dropping the primary set 25-22.  

Second set: 3-0 run by Indiana late  

Indiana was down three factors late within the second set when an assault error from Penn State granted the Hoosiers a much-needed level and possession of the ball. Indiana adopted this play with a kill from junior outdoors hitter Morgan Geddes, compressing the hole to 19-18. 

Straight after, Indiana junior center blocker Savannah Kjolhede made a formidable play on the service line as Penn State delivered one other assault error leveling the rating to 19-19.  

Regardless of dropping the second set 25-23, this 3-0 run from the Hoosiers stored the match shut.  

Third set: Overruling of Saris’ kill late 

Indiana trailed 23-22 when sophomore outdoors hitter Mady Saris delivered what was initially judged as a kill. This gave the Hoosiers a jolt of pleasure and the purpose wanted to tie the sport.  

Nonetheless, earlier than Indiana may proceed its run, the referees flagged the play and put it below assessment.  

The ultimate ruling decided the play was a service error in opposition to Indiana, which put the Hoosiers behind 24-22. Penn State scored the ultimate level of the night time, granting them the straight-set win.  

Head coach Steve Aird acknowledges how shut the Hoosiers are to reaching their potential and successful these shut units.  

“We’re proper there,” Aird stated. “It’s inches, not miles.”  

Indiana will proceed to combat this problem as they journey to play No. 9 Minnesota at 3 p.m. Sunday on the street.