CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Iowa volleyball fell to the Illini, 3-0, Sunday afternoon in Huff Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois.
SET 1 (Ill., 25-23): Iowa opened the set with an ace serve from senior Mari Hinkle. The two teams were exchanging points, as the Hawkeyes took the, 5-3, lead on back-to-back kills. The Hawkeyes capitalized on three straight Illini errors to take a four-point lead. Illinois responded strong and was able to tie the set at nine after a 5-0 run. Iowa opened a run of their own to retake the lead. The Illini took their first time out with the Hawkeyes up 13-9. Illinois came out strong after their timeout and was able to take the lead, 15-14, after a 6-1 run. Illinois kept rolling and extended their lead to three points. Iowa was not going away though as they got back within one, 19-18. The Illini started to pull away as the Hawkeyes took their second timeout down 22-18. Iowa kept the set alive with kills from sophomores Michelle Urquhart and Addie VanderWeide. A successful Hawkeye challenge took a point away from the Illini and got Iowa within two, 23-21. With Illinois at set point, junior Delaney McSweeney had back-to-back kills to force an Illini timeout with their lead at one. Illinois secured the set victory on a kill.
SET 2 (Ill., 25-15): The Hawkeyes opened the second set with back-to-back kills from sophomores Toyosi Onabanjo and Urquhart. The set got tied at four on a big kill from senior Amiya Jones. A couple of Illini errors and a kill from VanderWeide gave Iowa the, 7-5, lead. Illinois’ offense got hot and with three straight kills they took a 12-9 lead and forced Iowa to use a timeout. A kill from McSweeney ended the Illini run at seven with their lead at four. Another run for Illinois extended their lead to eight and the Hawkeyes took their second timeout out down 19-11. Iowa was able to get two straight points, but Illinois was able to maintain their lead. A kill from Jones kept Iowa alive with the Illini at set point, but they were able to get a kill to take 2-0 lead in the match.
SET 3 (Ill., 26-24): For the third time in a row, the Hawkeyes took the opening point of the set. Illinois’ offense had a response ready, as they jumped out to a 3-1 lead. The two teams were battling back-and-forth as Iowa was able to take a two-point lead after an ace from Onabanjo. A kill from freshman Nia Washington put the Hawkeyes up, 8-5. The teams were going point for point, and Illinois used their first timeout after two straight Hawkeye kills put them ahead 11-7. Washington’s fourth kill of the set gave Iowa a 13-10 lead. The Illini took their second timeout after a 3-0 Iowa run extended their lead to six. The Hawkeyes were rolling as they were the first to 20 in the set. Illinois was fighting to stay alive in the set getting points here and there but a kill from Jones gave Iowa the 22-15 lead. The Illini were gaining momentum after three straight points, and the Hawkeyes called a timeout with their lead at four. The Hawkeyes quickly took their second timeout as Illinois got within one, 23-22. Iowa got to set point on a kill from Onabanjo, but an Illini kill tied the set at 24. Illinois was able to complete the comeback and win the third set to take the match from the Hawkeyes.
NOTABLES
- Michelle Urquhart led the lead the team with 10 kills
- Redshirt senior setter, Lily Tessier registered a team high 14 assists
- Redshirt freshman libero Sydney Dennis led the team with 13 digs
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return home to Xtream Arena for the final time this season on Wednesday November 23 to take on Michigan. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be live streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
