MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The University of Iowa volleyball team dropped straight sets to No. 16 Minnesota on Saturday evening inside the Maturi Pavilion. The Hawkeyes fall to 10-20 on the season and 4-14 in conference.
Junior Claire Ammeraal recorded a double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs. Senior Michelle Urquhart was just shy of a double-double with nine kills and nine digs. Sophomore Hannah Whittingstall had four kills and two blocks. Iowa out-blocked Minnesota, 5-4.
MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (MINNESOTA 25-20)
Minnesota took the opening two points, when an Ammeraal kill got the Hawkeyes on the board at 2-1. Minnesota found small runs to extend its lead to 6-2. The Hawkeyes fought back, getting within one at 7-6 on a kill from Urquhart. A 4-0 run from the Gophers forced an Iowa timeout at 11-6. Following the timeout, Iowa found its own 4-0 run and forced a Minnesota timeout at 11-10. Both teams traded runs, with Minnesota winning the race to 20, at 20-15. A kill from Urquhart would fend off a Minnesota set point, before the Hawkeyes dropped the first set to the Gophers.
SET TWO (MINNESOTA 25-18)
The Hawkeyes capitalized on Minnesota errors and strong serving from Whittingstall to mount a 6-1 lead to start the second set. Minnesota would find its own 5-1 flurry to get within one at 7-6. Back-to-back kills from sophomore Gabby Deery and Urquhart extended the Hawkeyes lead to 9-6. Minnesota found some momentum, using a 4-0 run to take the lead at 10-9, and force an Iowa timeout. Coming out of the timeout, freshman Malu Garcia terminated a kill to tie the set at 10-10. The Hawkeyes gained some momentum after two kills from Urquhart and two blocks to lead 15-12. But Minnesota responded with a 13-3 run to close out the second set.
SET THREE (MINNESOTA 25-12)
An Iowa block answered Minnesota’s set-opening point. Minnesota found an early lead at 8-3, forcing an Iowa timeout. Back-to-back kills from Deery and sophomore Rosa Vesty cut Minnesota’s lead to 12-6. Minnesota pulled away on a 6-0 run to lead 18-6. The Hawkeyes rallied with a 3-0 run but would be unable to catch Minnesota. The Gophers finished the set on a 3-0 run to close out the match.
UP NEXT – Iowa visits UCLA on Nov. 27 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. The match will air on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio network at 9 p.m. (CT).