Nov. 18, 2011
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Wisconsin tonight inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena (25-16, 25-20, 25-18). Senior Tiffany Nilges led the Hawkeyes with her seventh double-double of the season. She finished with 10 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore Nikki Dailey added 31 assists and sophomore Bethany Yeager picked up 14 digs.
The Hawkeyes received five kills from Nilges in the opening frame, but it wasn’t enough as Wisconsin hit .381 to earn a 25-16 victory. The Badgers opened the set strong with a 4-1 run. The Hawkeyes fought back with the help of two Megan Eskew kills to pull within one, 9-8. Wisconsin would widen the gap with a 3-0 run to force an Iowa timeout. Iowa would receive two back-to-back kills from Nilges before the Badgers took the lead, 17-10, with another 3-0 run. Despite two late kills from Lovell, Wisconsin would cruise to the match advantage 1-0.
Wisconsin grabbed a 2-0 match advantage with a 25-20 win the second frame. The set started with an exchange of points that resulted in a 4-4 tie. The Badgers then made their first run to break open the set, 10-6. Wisconsin’s 6-1 run ended with two back-to-back blocks from Mallory Husz and Alex Lovell to pull Iowa back within two, 10-8. Wisconsin answered the Hawkeyes with a 5-1 run to advance their lead, 15-9. The Hawkeyes were never able to pull closer than two points and the Badgers ended the framev scoring six of the remaining nine points.
The Badgers finished the straight-set sweep with a 25-18 decision in the final frame. Wisconsin came out dominating the net, opening up a 13-1 lead before sophomore Chante’ Thompson provided a big lift off the bench serving three straight service aces to help the Hawkeyes rally back with a 8-1 run. The Hawkeyes later added a 5-1 run, but Wisconsin withstood the rally and held on for the 3-0 match victory.
The Hawkeyes return to Mediacom Court tomorrow to face Minnesota. The Hawkeyes and Gophers play at 7 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
| Wisconsin vs. Iowa | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Wisconsin (16-13, 8-9) | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Iowa (11-19, 1-16) | 16 | 20 | 18 |
| Statistical Leaders | |||
| Kills: Tiffany Nilges (UI) 10 | Chapman (UW) 15 | |||
| Assists: Nikki Dailey (UI) 31 | Thomas (UW) 20 | |||
| Digs: Bethany Yeager (UI) 14 | Hickey (UW) 20 |