CORALVILLE, Iowa – The University of Iowa volleyball team was defeated, 3-0, by Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at Xtream Arena. The Hawkeyes are 10-18 on the season and 4-12 in conference play.
Senior Michelle Urquhart recorded eight kills and nine digs. Freshman Malu Garcia tallied four kills and three blocks. Senior Gracie Gibson had four kills and two blocks.
The Hawkeyes celebrated four seniors, Anna Davis, Joy Galles, Gracie Gibson, and Michelle Urquhart after the match.
MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (MICHIGAN STATE 27-25)
The Hawkeyes got out to a hot start, winning the first three points to lead 3-0. A block and kill from sophomore Hannah Whittingstall lengthened the Hawkeyes advantage to 6-2. Iowa won the race to ten, led by kills from redshirt freshman Alyssa Worden, Gibson and Garcia. Small runs from each team made it hard for either team to find separation. After the media timeout, Michigan State used a 3-0 run to tie the set at 15-15. After a few back-and-forth points, Iowa found a 4-1 run off of a kill and ace from Worden, to lead 21-18, forcing two Michigan Stats timeouts. The Spartans responded with their own 4-0 run to lead 22-21. After trading points, Michigan State was the first to string two points together to close out the set, 27-25.
SET TWO (MICHIGAN STATE 25-13)
Michigan State was able to carry momentum into the second set, going on a 5-0 run to start. After an Iowa timeout, the Hawkeyes found their own 7-1 run, led by kills from Gibson and Garcia, to lead at 7-6. Michigan State regained control of the set with a 7-0 run to take the lead at 14-8. The Spartans used several runs to take the set.
SET THREE (MICHIGAN STATE 25-14)
A kill from Whittingstall got the Hawkeyes on the board to start the set. A few small runs kept the set close with neither team finding much separation through the first ten points. Michigan State found a 6-0 run to break away from the Hawkeyes at 15-9. A kill from Meitzler got Iowa within five at 15-10. The Spartans finished off the set with a 10-4 run to close out the match.
UP NEXT
Iowa hosts No. 2 Nebraska at Xtream Arena on Nov. 20. The match is sold out. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.