Aug. 29, 2003
The Iowa volleyball team began the 2003 season with a 3-2 loss to Denver Friday evening at the Saluki/Best Inns Invite.
The Hawkeyes took game one 31-29. As a team the Iowa edged Denver in kills, 17-14. Denver gained control in games two and three, edging Iowa 30-25 in game two and 30-26 in game three. In game two Iowa once again held the advantage with 17 kills compared to the Pioneers’ 11. Denver won the offensive edge in game three, recording 18 kills compared to Iowa’s 13. The Pioneers tallied a .220 hitting percentage (19-8-41) compared to the Hawkeyes’ .073 (13-10-41). Iowa bounced back in the fourth game with a 31-29 victory. The Hawkeyes controlled the offensive side with 20 kills and posted a match-high .289 hitting percentage.
Errors proved costly for the Hawkeyes in game five. Iowa recorded three kills while committing eight errors compared to Southern Illinois five kills and one error. The Pioneers went on the take game five, 15-6 and the match.
As a team, Iowa held the advantage with 70 kills compared to Denver’s 65 and 77 digs compared to the Pioneers’ 73. Denver dominated the defensive net with 23 total team blocks compared to Iowa’s 12.
Three Hawkeyes began the season with double-doubles. Senior Jitka Stehnova recorded 49 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Echaka Agba posted 14 kills and 13 digs. Freshman April Mech recorded her first collegiate double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs.