Hawkeyes Win Five-Set Thriller

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Oct. 7, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa– The University of Iowa volleyball team defeated Indiana, 3-2, tonight inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes were led by Freshman Alex Lovell, who put down 16 kills, and sophomore Nikki Dailey, who dished out 43 assists. Sophomore Bethany Yeager picked up 20 digs while senior Megan Eskew collected 17. Senior Malloy Husz recorded six blocks.

“The match went pretty much as the coaching staff expected,” said Dingman. “We knew both teams would come out fighting for their first conference win and we knew it would be a battle. The team really persevered and showed a lot of courage.”

Iowa used a total of three runs to earn a set one victory, 25-14. The Hawkeyes opened the frame with a 7-2 run that included two kills from Husz. Iowa would later use a 3-0 run to widen the gap, 12-6. The Hawkeyes closed the set scoring nine of the final 12 points. Iowa was led in the opening set by senior Tiffany Nilges’ four kills. Dailey handed out eight assists and Yeager grabbed four digs.

Indiana fought back with a win in set two, 25-20, to tie the match, 1-1. The Hoosiers opened the set with a 4-1 run. The Hawkeyes answered with a 4-0 run that included back-to-back aces from Dailey to tie the set, 6-6. Indiana would later use two 3-0 runs to take another big lead, 16-10, and force an Iowa timeout. Iowa fought back to pull within three, but Indiana maintained the lead for the remainder of the frame. Lovell led the Hawkeyes with four kills and Nilges picked up four digs. Dailey collected another nine assists.

Iowa took the victory in a close set three, 25-21. The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early lead with an 11-4 run. Indiana later answered with a 5-1 run that closed the gap, 13-10. The Hoosiers would use another run late in the match to pull within one, 22-21, before Iowa ran off the final three points to end the frame. Lovell and Nilges combined for 10 kills. Dailey recorded 14 assists and Yeager collected seven digs.

Indiana tied the match, 2-2, with the win in set four, 25-16. The Hoosiers opened the forth frame with a 3-1 run. Indiana would later use a 3-0 run to advance their lead, 14-9. The Hawkeyes were unable to answer and Indiana held its lead through the entirety of the frame.

The Hawkeyes clinched the match with a 15-13 win in set five. It proved to be a back-and-forth frame that included six total ties. Iowa grabbed it first lead, 10-9, and forced an Indiana timeout. The Hawkeyes answered the timeout with a 3-1 run, highlighted by Husz’ sixth block of the match, and eventually sealed the win with Nilges’ 13th kill.

The Hoosiers tallied 16 more total kills than Iowa, but the Hawkeyes made only 16 attack errors and out-hit Indiana, .231-.201.

“Coming in I thought the team with the most kills would win the match,” said Dingman. “But I also didn’t anticipate us finishing with just 16 errors. I think the hitting percentage was the difference.”

Tonight’s contest was Iowa’s annual Attacking Breast Cancer match. One dollar for every single-game ticket sold was donated to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Hawkeyes are also hosting an online auction to raise money for the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Match-worn pink Iowa jerseys and other Hawkeye memorabilia and VIP packages are available for bid on hawkeyesports.com. The online auction is located under the “SHOP” tab. Fans are encouraged to bid on items up until 12 p.m. Friday, October 21. One-hundred percent of the auction’s proceeds will be donated to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Hawkeyes return to Mediacom Court tomorrow night. They will face No. 11 Purdue at 7 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.