CORALVILLE, IOWA — The University of Iowa volleyball team defeated Indiana, 3-1, on Friday night at Xtream Arena.
Edina Schmidt tallied 19 kills and hit at .567. Courtney Buzzerio clocked 18 kills and hit at .552. Bailey Ortega tallied 29 assists, while Mari Hinkle led all players with 12 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (Iowa, 25-18): Iowa started off strong with an 8-3 lead, forcing an Indiana timeout. The Hawkeyes continued their momentum, staying up 15-10. Indiana began to fight back, pulling within 18-16 before Iowa created separation at 20-16, forcing the Hoosiers to take their second timeout. The Hawkeyes stayed up through the end, taking the first set. Set one featured six kills from Schmidt, as well as a team collective of four aces.
SET 2 (Indiana, 25-17): The Hoosiers opened the second set taking a 6-1 lead. Indiana extended its lead to 12-5 when Iowa took its first time out. The Hawkeyes pushed to close the spread, but fell short in an evened match.
SET 3 (Iowa, 25-20): Iowa came in hot taking an immediate lead, 4-0. Indiana fought to tie it up, 6-6. Long rallying put the Hawkeyes up, 12-8, forcing a Hoosier timeout. Iowa continued to stay up, 15-10 and maintained the lead, 17-11, when the Hoosiers used their second timeout. Indiana pulled within three, 20-17, before the Hawkeyes closed with five of the next points.
SET 4 (Iowa, 25-23): Indiana started with the lead, 9-3. Iowa made their move to close the gap, 12-10, and finally tied it up, 19-19. The Hawkeyes took their first lead of the night, 21-20, and pulled ahead, 23-21, pushing Indiana to take their final timeout of the night. A kill by Amiya Jones brought the set to game point. Indiana challenged the last call in favor of Iowa on whether it was in or out. The call remained and Iowa clinched the match.
HEAR FROM COACH DAVE BROWN
“I’m just so proud of these girls and the way they came out. They really played aggressively tonight. It’s been a crazy season and we battled tonight. I’m just so proud of their effort, everything they did on the court and the way they stuck together. It was really cool to see and even cooler to be a part of. I just want to say I am extremely proud of this team right now.
“Our approach tonight was win the serve-pass game. We put ourselves in the best possible position. As far as the three sets we won, we did. On the set we lost, we took a little bit off our serving and our passing slipped a little bit. But overall we won the serve-pass game and that’s what we preach here.”
UP NEXT
Iowa plays No. 4 Wisconsin tomorrow night at home in Xtream Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.