Buckeyes Down Hawkeyes in B1G Opener

Stats | Boxscore

Sept. 21, 2012

Box Score

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The University of Iowa volleyball team fell at 23rd-ranked Ohio State in straight sets on Friday night in its Big Ten opener (18-25, 20-25, 16-25). The match, played in St. John Arena, will be re-aired on BTN Monday at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

“I thought we did some really nice things tonight,” said head coach Sharon Dingman. “I was disappointed with our play in the third set. They are a good team. We have to be ready for Penn State tomorrow night. In the past, we have played well at Penn State.”

Junior Nikki Dailey recorded her eighth-straight double-double, and team-best 10th overall, with 25 assists and 10 digs. Classmate Rachael Bedell led Iowa with eight kills.

The Hawkeyes (8-6, 0-1) came out swinging early in the first set, recording eight kills in their first nine points. Leading 10-9, the home team scored three-straight points to force an Iowa timeout. Trailing 15-12, the visitors answered with a four-point run to take their first lead at 16-15. Ohio State responded with a 4-0 run of its own to regain a 19-16 lead and force a Hawkeye timeout. The Buckeyes then tallied six of the final seven points to earn a 25-18 first set victory. Five players turned in a kill for Iowa in the opening frame. Sophomore Alex Lovell led the way with five and Bedell added four. Dailey registered a set-high 11 assists. The Buckeyes hit .500 in the first game, limiting the visitors to a .167 attack percentage.

Tied 7-7 in the second set, Ohio State registered four-consecutive points to force a Hawkeye timeout. The Buckeyes tallied five of the next six points to take a 16-8 lead and force another Iowa timeout. The Hawkeyes cut the Ohio State advantage to four points at 21-17. The two teams exchanged points the rest of the way, giving the Buckeyes a 25-20 set victory and a 2-0 match lead.

Ohio State (10-3, 1-0) jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third set. The home team extended its lead to 14-6, forcing an Iowa timeout. The Buckeyes continued their momentum following the break on their way to a 25-16 third set and match victory.

Iowa continues conference action Saturday night at No. 4 Penn State. The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions will square off at 7 p.m. (CT) in University Park, Pa.