CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Iowa volleyball bounced back with a sweep of Murray State at the SEMO Invitational inside the Houck Field House on Friday afternoon. Iowa’s 7-1 start is its best through eight matches since 2006.
The Hawkeyes hit .400 on the day, tying the program’s sixth-highest mark of all-time. Iowa tallied 48 kills and 10 errors. The Hawkeyes passed well and were able to side out at 70.6%.
Fourteen Hawkeyes recorded kills in the win over Murray State, with six players recording no hitting errors. Graduate student Chard’e Vanzandt led the team with eight kills and hit .583. Junior Gabby Deery was error-free with seven kills on 13 swings. Iowa’s middle hitters, Aleksandra Stojanovic and Hannah Whittingstall, were effective against the Racers, each picking up five kills.
Senior setter Claire Ammeraal distributed the ball well with 25 assists in two sets played. Libero Milana Moisio led the team with eight digs.
Freshman Makena Rumple and sophomore Hallie Steponaitis entered in the third set and each recorded three kills without a hitting error. Iowa’s defense shined in the third set and picked up five of its nine blocks in the frame. Freshman Peyton Young, sophomore Jenna Meitzler and Hannah Whittingstall each had three blocks on the day.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JIM BARNES
“Our team took out some aggression today after falling short last night. We are learning through every situation. Last night showed us some spots we need to address and today we were able to work on those things. Gabby (Deery) started on the left side and did some really nice things for us. We need our left sides to produce for us. Chard’e has had two really good matches down here and she’s been the most consistent player. I was happy to see our middles have a better match today.”
MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (IOWA 25-11)
The Hawkeyes took the opener in a dominant, wire-to-wire set win. Whittingstall’s tip shot to the back right corner got Iowa on the board first, 1-0. Iowa sprinted out to a 6-0 lead on the tough serving of Whittingstall. Iowa’s backrow made solid first contacts, allowing all front row options to be in system. Deery checked in and quickly recorded two kills to push Iowa up, 12-3. The Hawkeyes kept their foot on the gas, with balanced offense coming from the pins and middles. Whittingstall and Vares stuffed an attack for Iowa’s first block and Iowa kept the pressure on with a 22-10 lead. Six Hawkeyes recorded kills in the first set and…