PISCATAWAY, N.J. – University of Iowa volleyball fell to Rutgers, 3-0, Friday night in Jersey Mike’s Arena.
SET 1 (Rutgers, 25-14): Iowa opened the first set strong jumping out to an early 4-2 lead with three kills from three different Hawkeyes. Rutgers answered back with three-straight points to take the lead, 5-4. Two kills from senior Amiya Jones tied the set at five, and then got Iowa within one with the score at 7-6. Back-to-back kills by the Scarlet Knights extended their lead to three. Iowa was able to get a couple of points off Rutgers’ errors, but the Scarlet Knights maintained their lead, 12-8. The Hawkeyes were able to cut the deficit to two on back-to-back errors by Rutgers. Iowa took their first timeout of the set as the Scarlet Knights extended their lead to six. Rutgers took a commanding lead after a 7-0 run to go up 22-12 and was able to close out the set in dominant fashion.
SET 2 (Rutgers, 25-14): Rutgers started the second set how they finished the first, jumping out to a commanding, 9-2, lead as Iowa took their first timeout. Three straight errors by the Scarlet Knights got the score to 16-8. Two kills and an ace from the Hawkeyes cut the deficit to six. A successful Iowa challenge overturned a call to get sophomore Michelle Urquhart a kill and get the set score to 18-12, Rutgers. The Hawkeyes took their second timeout as a Scarlet Knight 3-0 run extended their lead back to nine. Rutgers kept their foot on the gas pedal as they secured the second set victory on a 4-1 run.
SET 3 (Rutgers, 25-23): Iowa was able to tie the set at two on a kill from Jones. Rutgers then went on a 5-0 run to jump out to a 7-2 lead as the Hawkeyes quickly took a timeout. The Scarlet Knight run ended at seven straight as they were able to increase their lead, 9-2. Iowa was able to put together a run of three to cut their deficit to four. The two teams were exchanging points as a Hawkeye block forced Rutgers to take their first timeout of the match with their lead at 13-9. Iowa took their second timeout as the Scarlet Knights extended their lead to seven after three-straight points. The Hawkeyes came to life after the timeout going on a 6-1 run to get within two, 18-16. Rutgers was able to maintain their lead, as the two teams were going point for point. A kill from sophomore Toyosi Onabanjo got the Hawkeyes within one, 22-21. The Scarlet Knights were able to get to match point, 24-22, but a kill and a block for Iowa forced a late Rutgers timeout. The Scarlet Knights closed out the match on a kill.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to College Park, Maryland, to take on Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 6. First serve in the Xfinity Center Pavilion is set for noon CT and will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
