CORALVILLE, Iowa — University of Iowa volleyball fell to Maryland, 3-0, Saturday evening inside Xtream Arena.
Redshirt freshman Nataly Moravec led the way for the Hawkeyes, posting seven kills and hitting at a clip of .412. Senior setter Bailey Ortega led the team in assists with 12, and Kaia Mateo followed closely behind with 10. Redshirt sophomore Sydney Dennis registered eight digs — the team high on the night.
Set 1 (Maryland, 25-19): Maryland was the first on the board but missed a serve, putting the ball in the Hawkeye’s hands. Mateo assisted redshirt senior Delaney McSweeney to put down the first Iowa kill of the match. Shortly after, Mateo came through swinging from the outside for a kill. Iowa continued to close the gap when McSweeney and fifth year Caitlan Buettner posted a block. The Hawkeyes caught the Terrapins at seven, and then took the lead after a kill by Moravec. Another Moravec kill pushed the Hawkeye lead to four. Iowa stayed ahead until the Terrapins tied it up at 16. Maryland went on an offensive run, but a kill by Buettner and a solo block by Mateo lessened the gap. Maryland jumped ahead and won the first set.
Set 2 (Maryland, 25-8): Maryland came out with a kill, but Iowa once again capitalized on an error, meeting at one. Mateo assisted Buettner to register a kill early in the set. Maryland kept the lead toward the beginning, but Iowa fought to close the gap. Moravec posted a kill thanks to an assist by Ortega. Maryland kept the ball for three possessions, until a kill by redshirt junior Anna Davis gave Iowa the ball back. Maryland held the lead throughout the set. Iowa took advantage of a Terrapin error to gain posession. Iowa battled, but could not catch up to Maryland and the Terrapins ended the second set on top.
Set 3 (Maryland, 25-21): Iowa came out strong and clinched the first three points of the set. Sophomore Harlei Cole assisted junior Michelle Urquhart to put down a kill. The two teams battled back-and-forth, exchanging kills. Freshman Rosa Vesty teamed up with Mateo at the net to record a block. The Hawkeyes took a timeout to try to stop a Terrapin run, and were successful. Iowa capitalized on a Maryland error to lessen the spread. A pair of Hawkeye kills by Moravec and Davis brought the score within two. Iowa took another timeout and broke another Terrapin run with a kill by McSweeney. Towards the end of the set, McSweeney posted another successful attack. Iowa fought to catch the Terrapins, but fell short. Maryland won the set and the match.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to play on Friday, Nov. 3 against the Wolverines. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT on B1G+ (subscription required).
