Nov. 26, 2005
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa volleyball team’s 2005 season ended with a 3-1 (21-30, 30-26, 30-24, 30-26) loss at the hands of the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday night in Carver Hawkeye Arena. Iowa ends the season with a 14-19 record and a 4-16 mark in the Big Ten Conference. Illinois raised its record to 16-15 (7-13).
Four Hawkeyes reached double-digits in kills, led by freshman Catherine Smale with 15. Melanie Meister and Stacy Vitali each had 13 while Megan Gatens had a season-high 11.
The game also served as senior day for the Hawkeyes, with Justeen Patton and Lauren Bruckner playing in their final match. Bruckner recorded 11 digs in her final go at Carver Hawkeye Arena, while Patton dug out five. The team also honored student trainer Heather Coenen, student undergraduate assistant Chelsey Garrett and student manager Ryan Hansen.
The Hawkeyes led from wire-to-wire in game one, taking a commanding 27-17 lead at one point. Illinois tried to get back in the game with four-consecutive points, but Laura Kremer pounded out two-straight kills to take things to game point, where Vitali ended things with a kill of her own.
In game two, things were close most of the way. With the game tied at 19-19, Illinois ripped off five-straight points to take control and cruise to victory.
The Fighting Illini led most of the way in game three, stretching their lead to nine at one point before taking the 30-24 win.
In game four, the two teams repeatedly traded the lead through the first half. The score was tied at 19-19 when Illinois threatened to pull away by scoring five-of-six points. The Hawkeyes wouldn’t go down without a fight, clawing back to tie things up at 25-25 before Illinois kicked on its afterburners and won the match.
MATCH SUMMARYIllinois 21 30 30 30IOWA 30 26 24 26