Hawkeyes Fall To No. 20 Michigan

Stats

Nov. 22, 2008

Box Score

IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa volleyball team dropped a three-set match to No. 20 Michigan, 23-25, 16-25, 16-25, Saturday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes are now 14-16 overall and 6-12 in Big Ten play. The 20th-ranked Wolverines now stand at 23-7 overall and 11-7 in conference action.

Senior Catherine Smale led the attack with 12 kills and also had nine digs. Junior Megan Schipper had eight kills, while senior Kiley Fister led the squad with 30 assists. Senior Emily Hiza had a team-high 12 digs, and sophomore Katie Kennedy led the defense at the net with three block assists.

Iowa fought hard in the first set, but couldn’t come away with the win, falling by two points. Smale had six of her 12 kills in the frame.

The teams traded points to start the set until Iowa gained a 12-9 lead. Michigan battled back to tie the score at 14, but two-straight Hawkeye points forced a Michigan timeout at 16-14. Later in the set with the tie scored at 18, Michigan put together a 4-1 run for a 22-19 lead. Iowa battled back to tie the score at 22, and after a Michigan point, tied the score again at 23. The Wolverines managed two-straight points, however, to get the win.

Smale led Iowa once again with four kills in the second set, but the Hawkeyes fell, 25-16.

Michigan jumped out to an early 9-5 lead, and then used a 5-0 run later for a 16-9 advantage. The Hawkeyes tried to get back into the set with a 3-0 run to come within four at 16-12, but Michigan held on for the victory.

The Hawkeyes fell by another 25-16 score in the third stanza. Three Hawkeyes had three kills in the frame.

Iowa fell behind, 10-6 early, and the Wolverines extended the advantage to 16-9. Iowa managed two-straight points to make the count 16-11, but couldn’t get any closer.

The Hawkeyes will host nationally-ranked Minnesota Wednesday in their home finale. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.