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LINCOLN, Neb. – The Hawkeyes were hot in set three against No. 1 ranked Nebraska, but the University of Iowa volleyball team ultimately dropped a 3-0 decision to the Cornhuskers on Wednesday night in the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Iowa is now 18-9 overall and 8-7 in Big Ten action.
“Nobody likes losing, but I love what our team keeps giving,” said head coach Bond Shymansky. “That is something that we will continue to build on this season. This group, what great sweat-equity we put into that moment. We were all over the floor. You could tell Nebraska got nervous. Kudos to our gals for continuing to fight and give their very best. I’m definitely proud of the progress they are making.”
Buzzerio racked up five of her ten kills during the final set, while Mariani and Coyle chipped in two. Loxley Keala amassed 14 assists during set three and Olsen had six monster digs. Overall, Keala collected 28 assists, while Olsen amassed 19 digs.
Bolstered by kills from Coyle (2), Mariani (1) and a Nebraska error, the Hawkeyes began set three with a 4-3 advantage. Nebraska scored a point to tie the set, but back-to-back kills by Mariani and Buzzerio sparked a 5-1 Iowa run to give the Hawkeyes a 9-5 lead. The Cornhuskers responded with two consecutive points, but back-to-back kills by Janota and Buzzerio extended the Hawkeye advantage to 11-7.
The Cornhuskers scored three in a row to cut into Iowa’s lead, but a kill by Buzzerio gave the Hawkeyes a 12-10 advantage. After another two Nebraska points knotted the set at 12-12, a kill by Mariani gave the visitors a 13-12 lead. The home team went on a 4-0 run to take a 13-17 lead, but the Hawkeyes responded with a 3-1 run of their own, capped by a kill from Brobst, to cut Nebraska’s advantage to 18-16.
After back-to-back kills by the home team to extend its lead, the Hawkeyes exploded with an 8-3 run to draw the score even at 24-24. Janota, Brobst, Coyle and Buzzerio each racked up a kill during the stretch before Nebraska scored the final two points to clinch a 26-24 set win.
Iowa jumped out to an early 4-2 lead in set one. Lauren Brobst, Meghan Buzzerio and Jess Janota each had kills during the stretch, while Mariani chipped in a block. The Cornhuskers answered with a 6-2 run to take an 8-6 advantage before they secured a 25-14 set victory. Brobst led the Hawkeyes with four kills and a .600 attacking percentage.
The Hawkeyes took a 4-1 advantage in set two. Nebraska responded with a 4-1 run of their own to knot the set, but Buzzerio garnered a kill to give Iowa a 6-5 lead. The home team took their first lead of the match at 9-8 before a Brobst kill and a Janota block gave the Hawkeyes a 10-9 lead. Nebraska regained the advantage with a 6-0 run. A late kill by Brobst and a block and kill by Keala gave Iowa a 3-1 run to cut into that advantage, but Nebraska held on to secure the 25-18 set-two victory.
“We’re breaking the record for attendance that night and we need everyone there to help us do it. If you come out, and you are part of that match on Nov. 19, you will help us set a new attendance record for Iowa volleyball at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against the Huskers.”
The Hawkeyes take the court again on Saturday as they travel to West Lafayette, Ind. for a 6 p.m. (CT) matchup with Purdue.