WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — University of Iowa volleyball fell to Purdue University, 3-0, Saturday evening inside Holloway Gymnasium.
Fifth year Caitlan Buettner led the way for the Hawkeyes, posting nine kills. Following closely behind was redshirt freshman Nataly Moravec with eight kills and hitting a .348 clip. Redshirt sophomore Sydney Dennis registered 20 digs on the night, and Bailey Ortega led the team in assists with 20.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 (Purdue, 25-16): Purdue secured the first couple of points, but freshman setter Kaia Mateo assisted Buettner for a kill to put the first Hawkeye point on the board. The Boilermakers put the pressure on, but Iowa responded with a 3-0 run to bring the set within a point. Mateo registered another assist, setting Moravec up for a successful attack. Purdue went on an offensive run, but redshirt senior Delaney McSweeney came through swinging to put the ball back in Iowa’s hands. Freshman Gabby Deery added a kill to the board thanks to an Ortega assist. A kill followed by an ace by Moravec shortened the spread, but Iowa was unable to catch the Boilermakers and they took the set.
Set 2 (Purdue, 25-17): Purdue was the first on the board, but Iowa took the ball back after a Buettner kill. Iowa kept fighting and the Hawkeyes capitalized on a Purdue error and Buettner went back to serve an ace, shortening the spread to two. Later in the set, Ortega found an open spot across the net for a kill. Iowa went on a 4-0 scoring run, ending with a kill by Deery to make it a two-point game. Buettner battled to keep the Hawkeyes in the set registering a kill and giving the assist to Ortega. Despite Iowa’s late run, the Boilermakers secured the set.
Set 3 (Purdue, 25-23): Iowa came out strong and stole the first point of the set, but Purdue retaliated, taking the lead, 3-1. McSweeney swung strong in the front row, putting one to the ground for the Hawkeyes. Purdue held a small lead, but an error and a Buettner kill brought the spread to one. Redshirt junior Anna Davis found an opening across the net and recorded a kill. The two teams battled back and forth, but a Moravec kill brought the Hawkeyes within one with Purdue up, 8-7. The set remained close as McSweeney added another kill. Purdue produced a couple errors and Davis posted an ace to bring the set within three. Iowa and Purdue were neck-and-neck at the end when senior Audrey Black recorded a kill. The Hawkeyes put up a fight, but Purdue landed on top by two to take the set and the match.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to Coralville, Iowa, to take on Penn State Friday, Oct. 13 inside Xtream Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G Network.
