Nov. 18, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The University of Iowa volleyball team dropped a four-game match to the 12th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers, 3-1, Saturday night in Minneapolis. Iowa (13-17, 2-16) lost by scores of 30-21, 30-17, 25-30 and 30-21. Minnesota upped its record to 21-7 (15-3).
Catherine Smale led the attack for Iowa with 11 kills. She also added nine digs. Jen Barcus recorded 10 kills and eight blocks, while Melanie Meister had seven kills and hit at a .538 clip.
Setter Kiley Fister had 34 assists and 11 digs.
The Golden Gophers dominated the first two games of the match, with Iowa getting just one tie (1-1) in game one. Minnesota jumped out to a 15-7 lead, but Iowa scored seven of the next nine points to cut the lead to 17-14. The Golden Gophers responded with six of the next nine points to go ahead 23-17. Minnesota pushed it to game point at 29-19 after with a block. Iowa fought off two game points to make it 29-21, but a Gopher kill ended the game at 30-21.
Minnesota jumped out to a 13-9 lead in game two, and exploded with a 9-0 run to move ahead 22-9. The Golden Gophers moved it to game point at 29-17, and finished it off with a kill to give Minnesota the second game.
The Hawkeyes wouldn’t go quietly, however, and took game three 30-25. With the score tied at 20, Iowa rattled off 10 of the last 15 points. The Hawkeyes hit .417 in the game, with Barcus leading the way with five kills and a .556 attack percentage. Alicia Johnson had four kills and hit at a .429 clip in the game four win.
In game four the two teams were tied at 12, but Minnesota ran off 11 of the next 12 points to move ahead 23-13. Iowa cut the lead to 27-20, but the Golden Gophers scored three of the final four points to claim the game 30-21 and take the match.
Iowa will wrap-up the 2006 season next weekend with a pair of home games against Michigan State (Fri., 7 p.m.) and Michigan (Sat., 7:30 p.m.).
MATCH SUMMARYIOWA 21 17 30 21No. 12 Minnesota 30 30 25 30