Wisconsin Sweeps Iowa

Stats

Nov. 16, 2008

Box Score

MADISON, WI – The University of Iowa volleyball team was defeated by Wisconsin, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16, in Madison Sunday afternoon. The Hawkeyes fall to 14-14 overall and 6-10 in Big Ten play. Wisconsin ups its record to 17-11 overall and 7-9 in conference action.

Sophomore Aimee Huffman had a team-high 11 kills. Senior Kiley Fister led the team with 16 assists, with senior libero Emily Hiza leading the way with 11 digs.

Wisconsin took the first set by a 25-16 score. Huffman led the Hawkeyes with three kills on five attempts (.600 attack percentage).

The first set saw five early ties before the Badgers opened up a 13-9 lead. Iowa fought back within three at 15-12 with two-straight Katie Kennedy blocks, but a 3-0 Wisconsin run forced Iowa to take its second timeout of the frame at 18-12. Iowa tried to fight back with two points later in the set at 19-14, but the Badgers ended the stanza on a 6-2 run.

Iowa battled back late in the second set, but couldn’t come away with the win, falling 25-23. Huffman once again led the squad with six kills.

Iowa took an early 10-7 lead in the second frame, but a 5-0 Badger run gave them a 12-10 lead, and the Hawkeyes took a minute timeout. Wisconsin maintained its lead after the break, and later used a 6-2 run for a 21-16 lead. The Hawkeyes then used excellent play at the net, with blocks from Huffman, junior Megan Schipper and senior Laura Kremer to cap a 5-0 run, knotting the score at 21. Huffman then recorded a kill to tie the score at 22, but the Badgers managed three points in the final four rallies for the win.

Iowa dropped the third and final set by a 25-16 count.

Wisconsin took an early 7-5 lead, but back-to-back kills by Kremer tied the count at seven. The Badgers regained a 14-9 lead with a 7-2 surge. The teams then traded points until a 19-13 Badger advantage forced an Iowa timeout. The Badgers brought up match point with at 24-14 with a 5-1 run, and eventually closed the match with a 25-16 win.

The Hawkeyes return home Friday to face Ohio State. First serve in Carver-Hawkeye Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.