Hawkeyes Bested by No. 24 Northwestern

Stats

Oct. 8, 2010

Box Score

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EVANSTON, Ill. – The University of Iowa volleyball team fell to No. 24 Northwestern tonight inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats topped the Hawkeyes in straight sets (25-20, 25-14, 25-18). Megan Eskew led the Iowa offense with six kills. Paige Stevens dished a team-best 14 assists and Bethany Yeager picked up a game-high 18 digs.

“We came out playing pretty well but Northwestern was able to put together a run in the opening set and we just never regrouped,” said Head Coach Sharon Dingman. “We had a couple people play well but we need a better combined effort to get the win.”

The Wildcats scored the final seven points of set one to steal the opening frame, 25-20. Iowa, led by Becky Walters’ four kills, played even with Northwestern early and was able to take 20-18 after a kill from Rachael Bedell. The Wildcats then used their late rally to escape with the win. Yeager, among the conference leaders in digs, picked up six saves in the opener.

Northwestern rode their hot streak into set two. The Wildcats attacked at a .310 clip and never trailed in the 25-14 victory. Iowa got three kills apiece from Chante’ Thompson and Megan Eskew and Yeager added nine digs in the frame.

Mallory Husz came off the bench and provided a spark for Iowa in set three. The junior, who had missed the previous contest because of injury, made her first appearance in the third set and collected a pair of kills and three blocks. Her second kill fought off Northwestern’s first match point, but the Wildcats returned serve and forced a Hawkeye error to win set three, 25-18.

The Hawkeyes return to action Oct. 15 at Ohio State. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT).