CORALVILLE, Iowa — University of Iowa volleyball fell to Northwestern, 3-0, Sunday afternoon inside Xtream Arena.
The Hawkeyes recognized seniors Audrey Black, Delaney McSweeney, Caitlan Buettner, Amanda Darling, Bailey Ortega, and Jacqlyn Caspers.
McSweeney led the way for the Hawkeyes, posting nine kills and hitting at a percentage of .563. Buettner and freshman Gabby Deery recorded seven kills a piece. Ortega put up 15 assists for the Hawkeyes, and libero Darling registered 12 digs on the day.
Set 1 (Northwestern, 26-24): McSweeney registered a kill to start the set off for the Hawkeyes. She then teamed up with Buettner at the net to post a block. Iowa held the lead toward the beginning, until Northwestern caught them at six. The two teams battled back-and-forth, tying consecutively at points seven through nine. Deery and freshman Rosa Vesty recorded back-to-back kills, putting the Hawkeyes ahead. The Wildcat’s closed the gap once again, and the set tied at points 11 through 15. Northwestern went on an offensive run and pushed ahead. A kill from redshirt freshman Nataly Moravec put the ball back into the Hawkeyes’ hands. Ortega went back to serve an ace, and then two impressive digs by Darling kept the ball alive for the Hawkeyes to lessen the spread to one. At the end of the set, Ortega sent over a sneaky dump for a kill. Iowa battled but fell short and Northwestern won the first set.
Set 2 (Northwestern, 25-21): Northwestern came out, putting the first point on the board, but Iowa quickly met them at one thanks to a Deery kill. Buettner also posted a kill early in the set. The Wildcat’s had the lead in the beginning, until the Hawkeyes went on a 6-0 offensive run and took the lead. The Wildcat’s shortened Iowa’s lead and brought it to a tie. Buettner put down a kill from the back to put Iowa ahead before tying again at 15. Vesty and senior Anna Davis paired up at the net for a block to shut down a Wildcat attack attempt. The set remained evenly matched as the teams tied six-consecutive times as the score reached 16-all. Northwestern went on an offensive run which put them ahead. McSweeney recorded three kills towards the end of the set, in attempt to catch the Wildcats. At match point, Northwestern posted a kill and the Wildcats ended on top.
Set 3 (Northwestern, 25-21): The Wildcats won the first point of the set, but Deery responded and put down a kill. The score, once again, was tight early in the set. Deery put down a loose ball at the net to put the Hawkeyes ahead by one, until the Wildcat’s brought it to a tie again at seven. The two teams battled to maintain a lead. Iowa took advantage of a few Wildcat errors and pushed ahead by two, sending Northwestern into a timeout. Northwestern went on an offensive run and took the lead, but a Buettner kill followed by a kill from Vesty put Iowa ahead again, 15-14. Vesty and senior Anna Davis paired up at the net for a block to shut down a Wildcat attack attempt. Northwestern took a small lead, but Deery posted a kill from the right side to give Iowa possession. Northwestern continued with the lead and won the set and the match.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, Nov. 17 to play the Gophers. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT on B1G+ (subscription required).
