Volleyblog - Season Finale

Dec. 2, 2009

In 2009, Iowa volleyball fans were able to follow along with senior Megan Schipper, junior Aimee Huffman, sophomore Mallory Husz and freshman Emma Krieger Kittle as they blogged about the season . All four student-athletes discussed upcoming matches, road trips and what it’s like being a student-athlete at the University of Iowa.

Megan Schipper, SR
This past weekend the Hawkeye volleyball team took on Purdue and Indiana, our final two matches of the year!! We had a great week of practice, playing fun games with the coaches, but also getting ready for the big weekend ahead. Since it was Thanksgiving break and we didn’t have classes, we were able to go home on Tuesday, when we had a day off of practice, to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with our families. We had practice again Wednesday and Thursday, and on Thanksgiving day the team went to Sharon’s house and we had dinner catered by our fabulous Hy-Vee friends. We then watched the movie Miracle…which was absolutely amazing and very motivating!

Friday night we got ready to play Purdue, who had beaten us earlier in the year in three games. The Hawks started on fire by winning the first two games!! The Boilermakers played much better and won the third and fourth games. Even though losing games three and four were tough for us, we pulled together as a team and put all of our energy into getting ahead at the start of the fifth set. Then, we never looked back!! The coaches were so proud of us after the match to be able to pull out a win against a very feisty Purdue team. Sharon was particularly happy because we beat her alma mater.

Saturday was a very emotional night for myself and Christina, as we were playing our final match in a Hawkeye uniform. I personally tried to just take in every little thing in the amazing environment I had grown up in for the past 4 years. The Hawks fought hard, but couldn’t stop a couple of the Indiana Hoosier hitters and ended up losing in three. After the match, Chris and I were honored on the court and our amazing fans cheered us on and celebrated the past four years of absolutely incredible experiences. After the match, our families and friends joined us upstairs at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to enjoy a banquet celebrating Chris and I one more time. Sharon gave beautiful speeches about both of us, which of course brought more tears! It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything!!

The Hawkeye volleyball team and particularly Christina and I would like to thank all of our incredible fans this season for supporting us through the good and bad times. We have worked so hard this season and had a ton of fun along the way. Thanks again and the team cannot wait to see you all next season! Go Hawks!!

To read the 2009 season blog click HERE