Oct. 8, 2014
- Read the October issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPad/iPhone app!
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 2014 Media Guide
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
Iowa @ Michigan/Michigan State Notes 
WEEKEND PREVIEW
The University of Iowa volleyball team hits the road for a pair of Big Ten competitions at Michigan and Michigan State, Oct. 10-11. The Hawkeyes face Michigan on Friday and Michigan State on Saturday. Both matches begin at 6 p.m. (CT). Saturday is Breast Cancer Awareness night for the Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan.
FOLLOW ALONG
Hawkeye volleyball fans can listen live to each match online through Hawkeye All Access. Tim Keating is on the call. Gametracker (live stats) is also available for each match. Links to Hawkeye All Access and Gametracker are available on the volleyball schedule page of hawkeyesports.com. Video of the match at Michigan State through Spartan Sports Network can be accessed for a fee at msuspartans.com.
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.
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ALL-TIME
? Michigan leads Iowa, 37-24, in the all-time series.
? The Hawkeyes last defeated the Wolverines in Iowa City on Nov. 13, 2010, in four sets (20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23). Michigan was ranked No. 16 nationally at the time.
? Iowa’s last win over Michigan in Ann Arbor occurred on Oct. 20, 2000. The Hawkeyes won in five sets (10-15, 12-15, 15-6, 16-14, 15-13).
? Michigan State leads Iowa all-time, 42-24.
? Iowa last defeated the Spartans in Iowa City on Oct. 10, 2009, in straight sets (25-14, 25-15, 25-19). Michigan State was ranked No. 18 nationally at the time.
? Iowa’s last win over Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan, occurred on Oct. 21, 2000. The Hawkeyes won in five (1-15, 12-15, 15-10, 15-13, 15-11).
A MICHIGAN HOMECOMING
Three Iowa volleyball student-athletes — seniors Alessandra Dietz, Alex Lovell and Erin Leppek — will compete collegiately in their home state of Michigan for the final time this weekend. Dietz and Lovell grew up playing high school volleyball together at Marian High School. Leppek and Lovell played club volleyball together and helped Michigan Elite win the USA Junior National Championship in 2010.
FEELING THE LOVE
After spending the first month of the season on the road, the UI volleyball team has enjoyed a pair of top 20 crowds at home in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The fourth-largest crowd in program history (2,631) attended the home opener against Nebraska on Sept. 27, and the 13th-largest crowd (1,723) attended the Hawkeyes’ match against Penn State on Oct. 11.
SWITCHING IT UP
After running a 6-2 offense, the Hawkeye volleyball team transitioned into a 5-1 offensive system against Ohio State and Penn State last weekend. Freshman setter Kaylee Smith earned the first starts of her Iowa volleyball career, dishing out 26 assists against the Buckeyes and 17 against the Nittany Lions.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Alessandra Dietz ranks second all-time with a .268 career attack percentage and 18th with 231 career blocks. Fellow senior Alex Lovell is 10th all-time at Iowa with 1,254 career kills.
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
? As a team, Iowa ranks 79th nationally in blocks per set. Mikaela Gunderson paces the team with 47 total blocks (1.00 blocks per set), followed by Alessandra Dietz with 38 (0.79 blocks per set).
? Dietz is 68th nationally with a .364 hitting percentage.
B1G RUNDOWN
? Alessandra Dietz ranks sixth in the Big Ten in service aces per set (0.33) and 10th in hitting percentage (.364).
? Alex Lovell is 11th in the conference in kills per set (3.37) and points per set (3.76).
? Alyssa Klostermann ranks 11th in service aces per set (0.30) and 13th in assists per set (6.21).
? Michelle Fugarino is seventh in the conference in digs per set (4.15).
? Mikaela Gunderson ranks 15th in blocks per set (1.00).
APPROACHING A MILESTONE
First-year head coach Bond Shymansky owns a career record of 298-116 (.720) 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).
ON DECK
Iowa volleyball resumes Big Ten play in Iowa City with two matches next week. The Hawkeyes face Illinois on Wednesday at 8:05 p.m., and Northwestern on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The match against Illinois will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
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.
