Sept. 22, 2014
- Read the September issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPad/iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 2014 Media Guide
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
B1G OPENER
The University of Iowa volleyball team begins its Big Ten schedule at No. 8 Nebraska on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes enter the match with an 8-3 record, while the Cornhuskers are 6-3 on the season.
FOLLOW ALONG
Live stats and audio play-by-play of the match is available at hawkeyesports.com. Tim Keating is on the call. A live video stream of the match is available online through BTN Plus. Visit btn2go.com to subscribe and login.
LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES
For an inside look at the Iowa Volleyball program and to access exclusive coverage, “like” University of Iowa Volleyball on Facebook and follow @IowaVolleyball on Twitter. Follow the team’s live Twitter feed, @IowaVB_Live, for more frequent in-match tweets, play-by-play, statistics and more.
ALL-TIME
?The Cornhuskers lead the Hawkeyes, 20-0, all-time.
? Iowa and Nebraska first played each other on Nov. 17, 1977.
? In 2013, the Hawkeyes fell to Nebraska twice in three sets.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Alessandra Dietz ranks second all-time at Iowa with a .271 career attack percentage and 18th all-time with 226 career blocks, while fellow senior Alex Lovell is currently 10th all-time at Iowa with 1,227 career kills.
 |
B1G RUNDOWN
? Alessandra Dietz ranks fourth in the Big Ten in service aces per set (0.42) and sixth in hitting percentage (.416).
? Alex Lovell is sixth in the conference in kills per set (3.56) and eighth in points per set (4.00).
? Alyssa Klostermann ranks ninth in service aces per set (0.33) and 12th in assists per set (6.33).
? Michelle Fugarino ranks fourth in the Big Ten and leads all freshmen in the conference in digs per set (4.56).
? Taylin Alm is 12th in the Big Ten and leads all freshmen in the conference with a .380 hitting percentage.
? Mikaela Gunderson ranks 10th in blocks per set (1.11).
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
? As a team, Iowa ranks 18th nationally in kills per set (14.25), 21st in assists per set (13.31), 31st in blocks per set (2.65), 46th in aces per set (1.61), 61st in win-loss percentage (.727) and 78th in hitting percentage (.239).
? Alessandra Dietz is 25th nationally in hitting percentage (.416) and 68th in aces per set (0.42).
? Taylin Alm ranks 55th in hitting percentage (.380).
? Michelle Fugarino is 70th in digs per set (4.56).
? Alex Lovell ranks 97th in kills per set (3.56).
APPROACHING A MILESTONE
First-year head coach Bond Shymansky owns a career record of 298-112 (.727) and is just two wins from logging his 300th career victory. This is his 13th season as a head coach. He spent the past five seasons (2009-13) at the helm of the Marquette volleyball program and seven seasons before that leading Georgia Tech (2002-09).
A POWERHOUSE CONFERENCE
The Big Ten is considered the premier volleyball conference and continues to remain a force in Division I athletics. Six Big Ten teams appeared in the most recent release of the AVCA Division I Coaches Poll (Sept. 22) including No. 3 Penn State, No. 5 Wisconsin, No. 8 Nebraska, No. 15 Purdue, No. 16 Illinois and No. 17 Minnesota. Michigan State and Northwestern received votes.
ON DECK
UI volleyball returns to Iowa City for its home opener against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 27, on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The first 250 fans at the West entrance of Carver-Hawkeye Arena will get free pizza. Head coach Bond Shymansky will greet fans at a tailgate and all are invited to attend Chalk Talk in the Hadley Club Room prior to the match.
The Hawkeyes continue their home stand with matches against Ohio State on Friday, Oct. 3, and Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 4.
SEASON TICKETS
Iowa volleyball tickets are on sale now through the UI Athletics Ticket Office. Courtside seats are $60 per seat ($48 for faculty and staff) and general admission tickets are $30 each ($24 for faculty and staff). Fans that purchase general admission seats can choose to the same reserved seats at each match for the same price. Youth can attend matches for free.
Season ticket packages include a t-shirt and access to Chalk Talks with the Iowa coaching staff in the Hadley Club Room 30 minutes before every home match on the first floor of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets can be purchased online at hawkeyesports.com, by phone at 1-800-IA-HAWKS or in person at the UI Athletics Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
BIG TEN NETWORK COVERAGE
The University of Iowa volleyball team competes live on Big Ten Network (BTN) and BTN Plus 13 times this season. The Hawkeyes’ match against Illinois on Oct. 15 in Iowa City will be televised live on BTN. First serve has been changed from 7 p.m. (CT) to 8 p.m. to accommodate the schedule of the network.
Thirteen Iowa matches will be shown via live stream online through BTN Plus. To see if your cable package gives you access to BTN Plus content, sign up for BTN Plus or learn more about it, visit btn2go.com.
A NEW ERA
Bond Shymansky was named the ninth head coach of the Iowa volleyball program on Jan. 31, 2014. The UI alum and Iowa City, Iowa, native owns a career record of 292-110 (.726) amidst his 13th season.
Shymansky came to Iowa following five seasons (2009-13) at the helm of the Marquette volleyball program, where he guided the Golden Eagles to their first NCAA berth, NCAA victory, and first Big East regular season title. Marquette also won a Big East Tournament Championship, and made three-straight postseason appearances (2011-13).
Shymansky added associate head coach Michaela Franklin and assistant coach Jackie Simpson on Feb. 25, 2014 and completed his staff with the addition of director of operations Danielle Carlson.
#GREATTODAY
The Hawkeye volleyball program has been focused on one moniker since the arrival of head coach Bond Shymansky and his staff. Whether student-athletes are on the court, training in the weight room or learning in the classroom, the Hawkeyes want to be #GreatToday. A major shift in a program can be challenging, but striving for greatness in each area with exceptional effort has been helpful for the group.
