Hawkeyes Fall in Straight Sets to No. 10 Badgers

MADISON, Wis. – University of Iowa volleyball fell in straight sets to No. 10 Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon inside the UW Field House. The Hawkeyes move to 14-16 overall and 5-13 in the Big Ten.

Iowa dropped 25-17, 25-15 and 25-19 decisions in the loss.

In her return to her hometown, senior Claire Ammeraal notched her 11th double-double of the season with 21 assists and 10 digs. She also contributed five kills on seven swings and blocked one Badger attack.

Graduate Chard’e Vanzandt tallied the most kills for the Hawkeyes with nine. After missing two matches, junior Hannah Whittingstall hit .455 with five kills on 11 attacks. Her presence at the net was welcomed in her return, as she recorded a team-high three blocks. Gia McGrew saw her first game action since Oct. 19 against UCLA and posted three kills and one block.

MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (WISCONSIN 25-17)
Vanzandt started the match with a solo block for the Hawkeyes. Whittingstall and Vanzandt teamed up for another block to cut the deficit in half at 6-3. The Hawkeyes came within two after a block from Ammeraal and Whittingstall. Iowa’s first five points came from blocks and Wisconsin serving errors. Worden secured Iowa’s first kill to bring Iowa within three at 9-6. Stojanovic struck from the middle for the Hawkeyes’ second kill. In her return, Whittingstall executed on the slide to trim the Badger lead to 14-10. Worden tallied her next kill from the left side on the next point. At the midway mark, Wisconsin led 15-11. Ammeraal terminated on two to cut the Badger’s lead to three at 16-13. The Badgers used a 4-0 run late in the set to take control and Iowa called its second timeout at 22-15 .The Badgers ended the set on a 7-2 run to take the match lead. Iowa recorded three blocks to Wisconsin’s zero in the opening set.

SET TWO (WISCONSIN 25-15)
Whittingstall and Vanzandt teamed up for a block to begin set two. Vanzandt terminated to even the set at 3-3. Ammeraal swung on two to give Iowa the lead at 4-3. Stojanovic dunked on an over pass to extend Iowa’s lead to 7-5. After Wisconsin served an ace to pull in front 8-7, Vares answered with a kill. Iowa called a timeout after a 4-0 run from the Badgers gave them a 12-8 lead. The 8-0 run ended off the arm of McGrew. Iowa was unable to put together its own run, as Wisconsin played side out volleyball and took the second set.

SET THREE (WISCONSIN 25-19)
After Iowa won the first point for the third straight set, Wisconsin rattled off four in a row. Vanzandt terminated from the back row to stop the run as Iowa trailed, 4-2. Iowa climbed to within two at 10-8, after a dunk from Ammeraal and a kill from Worden. Vanzandt picked up Iowa’s first and only ace of the afternoon and drew Iowa to within a pair at 17-15. Wisconsin opened the door on a service error as Iowa stayed within striking distance, trailing 20-17. The Badgers won five of the next seven points to win the match.

Up Next: Iowa returns home for Senior Day, hosting Ohio State at Xtream Arena on Nov. 28. First serve is at 6 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network. Fans are encouraged to wear black to the match.