Oct. 31, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The University of Iowa volleyball team was swept by Minnesota Wednesday night in Minneapolis. Iowa falls to 9-15 overall and 1-12 in the Big Ten.
Sophomore Megan Schipper led the Hawkeyes with 11 kills while junior Laura Kremer tallied seven kills and four total blocks. Junior Catherine Smale and freshman Aimee Huffman each had seven kills.
Minnesota used an 8-0 run early in game one to take a commanding 12-2 lead. The Golden Gophers maintained their advantage until they eventually brought up game point at 29-17. Iowa responded with two Kremer blocks along with a kill and service ace by Smale, but couldn’t overcome the previous deficit as Minnesota took the first game, 30-20.
Four kills from both Kremer and Schipper in game two wasn’t enough, as Minnesota recorded a .302 hitting percentage for a 30-27 win.
The game started close, with ties at three and five before Iowa took a slim 6-5 lead off a Kiley Fister service ace. The Golden Gophers then forced ties at six and seven before taking an 8-7 lead, which they kept until late in the game. The Hawkeyes stayed within three points after Minnesota took a 20-17 lead, and eventually tied the score at 24 off a Golden Gopher error. A Huffman service ace gave Iowa a 26-25 lead, but five Minnesota points in the next six rallies gave the Golden Gophers a 2-0 advantage heading into the locker room.
Iowa stormed out to an early 7-2 lead in game three, powered by four kill Schipper kills in the first nine rallies. The Hawkeyes continued to lead at 14-9 before Minnesota put together a 9-0 surge for an 18-14 lead. Iowa was within one point at 21-20, thanks to a 6-3 run, but couldn’t get any closer as Minnesota closed the match with a 30-25 win.
Iowa returns to action Monday, November 5 at Michigan. The match will be televised live on the Big Ten Network at 6 p.m. central time.
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.