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Post by hoosierman on Oct 7, 2018 18:03:52 GMT -5
Yeah. So.
Here we are after 3 weeks of B10 volleyball, and IU is 2-4. 3 of those 4 losses have been in 5.
Loss vs #7 Illinois 8-15
Loss @ MSU 13-15
Loss @ Michigan 14-16
So frustrating, I'm sure for everyone involved with the program - even though changes seem like they are coming quickly, even Aird said in the press wrap-up that moral victories are no good; they have to find ways to win those games. Like not missing serves or hitting out of bounds.
However, I am happy for the program and hope it's going in the right direction. He didn't recruit this team, and hopefully Beerman comes back even better next year.
What's next: let's see who he can get to buy in and sign up for 2019 onwards.
Go Hoosiers.
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Post by jcvball22 on Oct 7, 2018 18:36:40 GMT -5
Yeah. So. Here we are after 3 weeks of B10 volleyball, and IU is 2-4. 3 of those 4 losses have been in 5. Loss vs #7 Illinois 8-15 Loss @ MSU 13-15 Loss @ Michigan 14-16 So frustrating, I'm sure for everyone involved with the program - even though changes seem like they are coming quickly, even Aird said in the press wrap-up that moral victories are no good; they have to find ways to win those games. Like not missing serves or hitting out of bounds. However, I am happy for the program and hope it's going in the right direction. He didn't recruit this team, and hopefully Beerman comes back even better next year. What's next: let's see who he can get to buy in and sign up for 2019 onwards. Go Hoosiers. For as much crap as Aird has taken since his hiring, especially on this board, he is a good coach, motivator, and he's tough. A Penn State grad, mentored by Russ, he has a similar "no frills" attitude when talking about his team. He is doing a good job so far. |
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Post by hoosierman on Jun 25, 2019 15:30:13 GMT -5
So who will make the most impact of those listed? I think it will be Zumach and Fitzner. Nine new players is a lot - what a puzzle and challenge for Aird this year! I wonder how the "old" players will gel with these new ones.
..........
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– With the addition of nine student-athletes, who didn't play for the Hoosiers in 2018, IU head coach Steve Aird believes 2019 will be transformational for his program. Aird has announced six new players that will join the roster.
Jacqui Armer (MB, Bradenton, Fla.), Haley Armstrong (DS, Milton, Ontario), Sophie Oliphant (DS, Carmel, Ind.), Peyton Yelich (MB, Crown Point, Ind.), Kari Zumach (OH/RS, Buffalo, Minn.) and Ashley Zulauf (OH, Wheaton, Ill.) are set to join the Indiana volleyball program.
Those six join AVCA First Team Under Armour All-American Emily Fitzner (S, San Diego, Calif.), Megan Sloan (OH, Zionsville, Ind.) and Klaire Thoman (DS, Irvine, Calif.) on the Hoosiers roster.
Jacqui Armer
6-3 | Middle Blocker | Bradenton, Florida | Manatee High School
Transferring after three seasons at LSU
Armer On the Court Accolades
• Started at middle blocker in 19 of 21 matched played and finished fifth on the team in kills with 114
• Started 27 of 28 matches in junior season and registered 221 kills for the season
• In 2017 led LSU in blocks and finished fourth in the SEC in blocking at 1.22 blocks per set
• As a junior in high school led Manatee to its first ever volleyball state championship
• Named to the 2015 Bradenton Herald All-Area Team
Armer Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Chip and Michelle Armer
• Has two sisters (Kayla, Marisa) and brother Bo
• Father played basketball at Michigan with the fab five and mother was an All-American swimmer at Michigan
• Also lettered in basketball, weightlifting and track and field
• Intended major is Liberal Studies
"Jacqui is a physical, experienced athlete that has put up good numbers and understands what it takes at this level," Steve Aird said. "She had some really impressive options to continue her collegiate career and she felt IU was the best fit for her. She wants to compete professionally after her college career and our goal is to help her do just that. She gives us depth at the Middle Blocker position, but we will look to develop her overall game so it translates to the professional level. Her size and skill set will be a very welcome addition to our roster."
"I choose Indiana because I believe it's a great program and a good fit to finish my senior year," Armer said. "I'm excited about the opportunities that IU can give me, and experience of playing in the Big Ten."
Haley Armstrong
5-7 | Defensive Specialist | Milton, Ontario | Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School
Armstrong On the Court Accolades
• Member of 2017 and 2018 Canadian Junior National Teams
• 2018 Junior National Team Bronze Medalist 18U at the USA High Performance Championships
• 2018 Volleyball Canada National Silver Medalist 17U
• 2017 Volleyball Canada East National Champions 16U
• 2019 recipient of the Evelyn Holick Award, awarded at the Ontario Championships to a female youth division athlete in recognition of outstanding commitment, dedication to the sport of volleyball, leadership, sportsmanship and athletic ability
• 2018 All Star Award Volleyball Canada National Championship 17U
• Traveled to France twice to play and train with the U19 French National Team
Armstrong Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Kim and Chad Armstrong
• Intended major is Business
• Also lettered in basketball, soccer, track and field and cross country
• Certificates of highest academic standing for marketing, biology, French, business studies, dramatic arts and physical education
"Haley is exactly the type of student-athlete you want to coach," Aird said. "There is no question she can play. Shas been well trained both in club and with the Canadian National Pipeline. She has been honored a great deal back in Ontario and is highly respected by peers and coaches, but remains very hungry and humble. She has great leadership qualities, is a fantastic teammate and will contribute in a variety of ways. She can handle the ball, serve and communicate at an elite level and will take ownership of any role we ask of her. Lastly, it is pretty special to coach an athlete from my home province and I am sure we will have a great time chasing greatness together."
"With coaches, teammates, and staff who all believe in the future success of this program and team, it was an easy decision," Armstrong said. "Top class training facilities, a reputable academic establishment, and endless support make IU the place to be. Not to mention, the campus is stunning and feels like a home away from home."
Sophie Oliphant
5-10 | Defensive Specialist | Carmel, Ind. | Carmel High School
Oliphant On the Court Accolades
• Played 132 varsity matches and finished high school career with over 1,400 digs and 140 aces
• 4-year varsity starter and 3-year libero at Carmel High School
• AVCA All-America nominee and multiple time All-MIC Conference and All-Hamilton County selection
• Club volleyball at Munciana and won the AAU Open National Championship three years (2015-17), finishing each season ranked No. 1 in the country by Prep Volleyball
Oliphant Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Jeff and Nancy Oliphant
• Father played basketball at IU and was on the 1987 national championship team
• Third generation in her family to attend IU
• Intended major is Informatics
• Brother Sam and sister Abby are both currently in the Kelley School of Business at IU
"Sophie comes from a passionate IU family with great tradition," Aird said. "She is an experienced player that can serve, pass and play defense. One of the traits of great programs is having highly competitive players that hate to lose and work hard every day. Sophie is not afraid to compete and knows exactly what she is getting into. When I took the job, she was very direct and told me she wanted to be here. I want players that want to be part of what we are building. She was a great fit for us in a variety of ways and we are excited for her to continue her family's tradition by wearing the Cream and Crimson."
"I chose IU because it has always been the first school I thought of when growing up," Oliphant said. "It was an easy choice when you think about the education, location, and the way the volleyball program is heading. Coach Aird and staff have come in with a different culture and have really given new life to the program. I am really excited to be a part of building something new."
Peyton Yelich
6-2 | Middle Blocker | Crown Point, Ind. | Crown Point High School
Transferring after one season at Virginia Tech
Yelich On the Court Accolades
• IHSAA All-State selection, two-time all-conference honoree, two-time All-Area selection, three-time Indiana All Star team
• 2016 AVCA Phenom List honoree
• PrepVolleyball.Com preseason High School All-American watch list and Under Armour All-American watch list
• Team was IHSAA State Runner-Up two years in a row
• School record holder for most blocks in a season at Crown Point
Yelich Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Al and Mylissa Yelich
• Brother Jake and sister Alyson
• Intended major is Exercise Science
"Peyton is a strong, physical kid with a big arm that will add more depth to our middle blocker position," Aird said. "She has good offensive range, can hit in front and behind the setter off one foot and has had a year of college experience to pull from. She is from the state and wanted to come home and compete in the Big Ten. We are excited to watch her develop and she will have plenty of opportunities to contribute as her career progresses."
"I chose Indiana because it felt like home to me," Yelich said. "I get to represent my state, play in the best conference in the country, and get a world class degree. This program is definitely turning around because there is now a great group of girls who all crave the same outcome. We all have the same goals and with the help of our coaches believing in us and pushing us it is very possible."
Kari Zumach
6-3 | Outside Hitter/Right Side Hitter | Buffalo, Minn. | Buffalo High School
Transferring after one season at Creighton
Zumach On the Court Accolades
• Two-time Big East Freshman of the Week
• Averaged 1.84 kills and 0.89 blocks per set on .308 hitting in CU's last 14 matches
• Hit .300 with 461 kills as a senior at Buffalo High School. She was named First Team All-State by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association.
• JVA All-National Team pick in the summer of 2018
• In a high school match, had 37 kills while hitting .408 and 25 digs in a 3-2 win
Zumach Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Darin and Lauri Zumach
• Sister Kylee was a redshirt senior at Kansas State in 2018. She earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2014.
• Four-time letter winner in track and field and high jump school record holder
• Intended major is Psychology
"Kari is an exceptional blocker and attacker at this level," Aird said. "She is long, physical, hard-working and plays with great energy and passion. She is outgoing, lively and I respect how she goes about her business. She is coming from a very good program that has played in meaningful matches and she is not afraid of the challenge the Big Ten offers. She has spent most of her career playing at the Opposite position but we will look to develop her at a variety of positions and let her gain experience in different roles."
"I chose IU because Coach Aird has a history of taking programs to the next level and I want to be part of that," Zumach said. "All the time and money they put into the new volleyball facilities and team just shows how dedicated they are to IU volleyball. It's always been a dream of mine to play in the Big Ten as well. As soon as Steve picked me up from the airport with my dad and started talking about the program I knew that's where I wanted to go."
Ashley Zulauf
6-0 | Outside Hitter | Wheaton, Ill. | St. Francis High School
Zulauf On the Court Accolades
• Six rotation player all three years at St. Francis High School
• 252 kills in senior year, 533 career kills and 370 career digs
• All-State senior season, All-Conference junior and senior seasons
• AVCA Phenom List in 2018
• Illinois Prep Volleyball Top Players in 2018
• Won the 2019 AAU National Championship – Premier Division
• 2019 AAU National MVP – Premier Division
Zulauf Off the Court Notables
• Daughter of Jon and Tracy
• Father played basketball at Michigan State (1990-93) under Jud Heathcote
• Mother was Miss Michigan in 1985
• Cousin Emily Zulauf was an outside hitter for Indiana volleyball in 2005-06.
• Teammates with Kamryn Malloy at St. Francis in 2016
• Intended major is Finance
"This kid flat out competes," Aird said. "She is well trained, hardworking, cares deeply about the opportunity in front of her and I will not be shocked at all if she finds her way on the court. I think great programs have great depth and players that can do all the skills. It affects practice, provides competition for playing time and gives you options as a coach. Ashley can play the game. I trust that she will push everyone, every day in trainings and be an exceptional teammate. She is a bright kid, has a high volleyball IQ and we are excited about her."
"I chose IU because it has always been my dream to play in the Big Ten and Indiana allows me to be successful not only on the court but also in the classroom," Zulauf said. The people here are so genuine and really care about the success of the athletes. I am super excited to be a part of the future of IU Volleyball."
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Post by bigfan on Jun 25, 2019 17:01:08 GMT -5
So who will make the most impact of those listed? They will have a great front line if all these players develop. |
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Post by northwoods on Jun 25, 2019 21:14:34 GMT -5
My guess is the “old” players will be meshing smoothly and finding a role, or they will be left behind. Aird seems like he is building something and moving forward, so you better keep up or fall away...
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Post by Brutus Buckeye on Jun 25, 2019 21:20:27 GMT -5
The UI logo looks like the devil's trident. Or a three-candle holder. Anyway, they both involve fire. It is a saguaro.  |
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Post by hammer on Jun 25, 2019 22:30:53 GMT -5
The UI logo looks like the devil's trident. Or a three-candle holder. Anyway, they both involve fire. It is a saguaro. |
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Post by hoosierman on Aug 13, 2019 10:15:39 GMT -5
Aird enters his second season at Indiana. He has recruited well for a new coach at a typically bottom-dweller program. I am excited to see what Zumach can do on the right side. I think it's fair to say she is an upgrade from Lexi Johnson, who left the team after one year.
Lots of words from Aird in the article below, and as a long time fan, I'm excited to see what this year's team can do! Go Hoosiers!
******
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Indiana volleyball history winds down to this:
Serve and dig.
It is a simple drill. Players serve, shift into mid-court position and dig a pass from an assistant coach's soft spike.
It is a drill they have done hundreds, perhaps thousands of times, but this time is different. This time it comes at the conclusion of the first official volleyball practice at Wilkinson Hall, a multi-million-dollar statement that the Hoosiers are -- finally -- taking volleyball seriously.
For this second-year coach Steve Aird and his team give thanks.
"The statement made by the athletics department and the school placing a value on what we do is huge," Aird says. "The generosity of (major donor) Jay Wilkinson and the good people at IU who donated … it matters."
It certainly matters to the players. Consider fifth-year senior outside hitter Kendall Beerman, who endured four years of University Gym, which might have wowed people in, say, 1960.
Wilkinson Hall was originally set to open in August of 2018, in time for volleyball season, but for a variety of reasons didn't open until last January, months after volleyball was over (but in time for the second half of the wrestling season)
"I'm so grateful that I have a fifth year and get to be part of the new IU," Beerman says. "This is night and day from what we had to what we have now. It's a state-of-the-art facility. It doesn't get any better. People will be really excited to be here."
Excitement extends to what Aird can do, for this coming season, and for the future.
He made instant Hoosier impact last year with a 16-15 debut record, 7-13 in the Big Ten. That included a sweep of Ohio State and a victory over No. 14 Michigan.
IU had a 1-19 conference record in the previous season.
••••••••••••••••••
What's Aird's coaching secret?
"All around he's a good coach," Beerman says. "His energy is through the roof. You have no choice but to match it or you're going to get left behind.
"He's always loud, always smiling, always having a good time. He's always expecting so much out of us, which is great. The intensity is there all the time. It doesn't letup, which is awesome for us."
IU returns five seniors and six starters. Nine new players -- five transfers and four freshmen -- add intrigue, but not concern. The new culture that was started last season is well entrenched.
"All the new people are catching on fast," Beerman says. "Steve will whip them into shape quickly, whether they like it or not."
She laughs.
"I don't think it will be that hard."
Aird demands without excess. He's won two national championships as an assistant coach at Penn State, became the head coach at Maryland, recruited a pair of top-20 classes and had the program poised for big things before becoming a Hoosier.
He takes over a perennially struggling program competing in the nation's best volleyball conference. IU could be a top-20 team and not finish in the upper half of the Big Ten.
Let's just say Aird embraces challenges. He describes his coaching style as "Pretty angry."
"It's playing with an edge. Being passionate. Caring more than is wise at times. Being an Every-Dayer. Being grateful for the opportunity to do it."
Yes, Aird just made up a word.
"Players have to understand I didn't come to Indiana to hopefully get a little better or hopefully make the playoffs. We want to turn this into a destination for top players. We want to have real success. Make everyone proud. It's not a mood, it's a lifestyle. I want to be around fun, passionate people who know that when it's go time, they know it's go time."
As far as what needs to happen for the Hoosiers to go this year, Aird says, "We have eight to nine new bodies. It's a brand new Lego set. When I got here I had a 16-month plan. We needed to change the culture. We needed to bring in some bodies. We were really thin last year and had some unfortunate injuries that got in the way.
"Now we have a very veteran team in a lot of ways. There are a lot of seniors. The one thing I'm very clear about is, hey you got better last year, but that doesn't mean you'll instantly get better this year. There are a lot of good teams in the conference. The preseason schedule is rugged. Just because we were better last year doesn't mean anything to me."
••••••••••••••••••
Sustained success ultimately comes down to recruiting. The state of Indiana rates among the nation's best in developing elite volleyball talent. Aird says every Final Four team last season started at least one Indiana player.
He needs those players to start coming to IU. His style and approach will help. So will Wilkinson Hall.
In some ways, it already has. Aird has landed freshman Emily Fitzner, a 6-foot setter out of California who earned first-team Under Armour All-America honors. That's the first time IU has landed so highly rated a player. She's the sister of Evan Fitzner, who played basketball for the Hoosiers last season.
Fitzner reflects what Aird wants in a player.
"I want kids who want to compete. I told them during our intro meeting (on Friday) that everything is on a scoreboard. Everything is measured. That's true in volleyball or if you're trying to get your first big job and 90 apply for it.
"Competition never goes away, so learn to embrace it. I want to be around competitive people."
Competitive, he adds, doesn't mean being a jerk.
"You can be competitive and still be a good human being. Being a great teammate and being competitive aren't mutually exclusive. You can do both at the same time. You can have great energy and want to win the right to represent the school and program."
IU's nucleus comes from its seven seniors -- Beerman, Megan Sloan, Deyshia Lofton, Jacqui Armer, Meaghan Koors, Hayden Huybers and Victoria Brisack.
"I think we'll have a pretty good team," Aird says. "I don't know if I thought I'd say that in Year Two. There's been so much transition.
"We'll be vastly improved. We can't control how good everyone is. We can control our roster. We've recruited well. We've trained well. We feel good about what we have. Is that national championship good? We're a long ways from that, but from where we were two years ago, it's night and day.
"We want to do things the right way. We don't cheat. We don't bend rules. We have a good time doing it.
"This is a unique program. It's not for everyone. The energy is different. We're starting to get the right people around us. We have fun every day. It's a great group of kids. A great staff."
And, thanks to Wilkinson Hall, a great place to try to make dreams come true.
"We feel a part of campus," Aird says. "This building is beautiful, but if it were three miles off campus, there would still be issues. The fact that it's right next to Assembly Hall and Cook Hall, we feel part of it. That's a huge thing."
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Post by hoosierman on Aug 20, 2019 15:44:45 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
Since I'm usually talking to myself when I discuss Indiana, I thought I'd source the VT crowd for y'all's knowledge about the transfers that Aird has brought in for the 2019 season.
The Hoosiers did land a good recruit in Emily Fitzner, but she hasn't played college yet; so what about those that have: were they impact players on your team? Are you happy they are gone? Can they help IU?
Thank you!
From Louisville: Megan Sloan
From Virginia Tech: Peyton Yelich
From Creighton: Kari Zumach
From LSU: Jacqui Armer
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Post by wishinwestcoastvb on Aug 20, 2019 16:04:28 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Since I'm usually talking to myself when I discuss Indiana, I thought I'd source the VT crowd for y'all's knowledge about the transfers that Aird has brought in for the 2019 season. The Hoosiers did land a good recruit in Emily Fitzner, but she hasn't played college yet; so what about those that have: were they impact players on your team? Are you happy they are gone? Can they help IU? Thank you! From Louisville: Megan Sloan From Virginia Tech: Peyton Yelich From Creighton: Kari Zumach From LSU: Jacqui Armer Feel like Zumach will definitely help. Performed for a ranked team so hopefully that can translate to IU. Sloan is solid and has great moments but there’s normally only 3 pins that can play if they run a 5-1 with Fitzner. Don’t know much about the others. |
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Post by hammer on Aug 20, 2019 17:15:20 GMT -5
IU really wasn't bad last year. They swept Ohio St, which a few years ago would have been unthinkable, and they beat BLUE on their home floor and gave them a decent run in Ann Arbor.
They didn't fair very well against the top B1G teams except, perhaps, the 3-2 home loss to the Illini. Most importantly against in-state rival Purdue they sustained two 3-2 losses. Moving forward they need to beat their in-state rival which will help them attract local recruits.
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Post by ilikecorn on Aug 20, 2019 17:31:53 GMT -5
I posted this already in the Big 10 Thread but it belongs here.
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Post by Mark Richards on Aug 20, 2019 17:52:41 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Since I'm usually talking to myself when I discuss Indiana, I thought I'd source the VT crowd for y'all's knowledge about the transfers that Aird has brought in for the 2019 season. The Hoosiers did land a good recruit in Emily Fitzner, but she hasn't played college yet; so what about those that have: were they impact players on your team? Are you happy they are gone? Can they help IU? Thank you! From Louisville: Megan Sloan From Virginia Tech: Peyton Yelich From Creighton: Kari Zumach From LSU: Jacqui Armer It is not good to talking to yourself here on Volleytalk, you will end up like Wolfgang and his countless diatribes about nothing really. I support Indiana. |
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Post by Wolfgang on Aug 20, 2019 17:55:33 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Since I'm usually talking to myself when I discuss Indiana, I thought I'd source the VT crowd for y'all's knowledge about the transfers that Aird has brought in for the 2019 season. The Hoosiers did land a good recruit in Emily Fitzner, but she hasn't played college yet; so what about those that have: were they impact players on your team? Are you happy they are gone? Can they help IU? Thank you! From Louisville: Megan Sloan From Virginia Tech: Peyton Yelich From Creighton: Kari Zumach From LSU: Jacqui Armer It is not good to talking to yourself here on Volleytalk, you will end up like Wolfgang and his countless diatribes about nothing really. I support Indiana. Nothing is right... |
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Post by Wolfgang on Aug 20, 2019 17:56:26 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Since I'm usually talking to myself when I discuss Indiana, I thought I'd source the VT crowd for y'all's knowledge about the transfers that Aird has brought in for the 2019 season. The Hoosiers did land a good recruit in Emily Fitzner, but she hasn't played college yet; so what about those that have: were they impact players on your team? Are you happy they are gone? Can they help IU? Thank you! From Louisville: Megan Sloan From Virginia Tech: Peyton Yelich From Creighton: Kari Zumach From LSU: Jacqui Armer Emily Fitzner is that San Diego girl whose mother played for Hawaii back in the early 1990s, I believe. |
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