Northwestern Volleyball Defeats Iowa in Straight Sets

Northwestern swept the University of Iowa volleyball team in straight sets with scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-23 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Thursday night.

The straight-sets loss drops the Hawkeyes to 13-16 overall and 2-13 in the Big Ten. Iowa was held to a .198 hitting percentage in the match.

Liv Mogridge led the Iowa attack with nine kills on 22 swings. Rosa Vesty turned in seven kills, while Jenna Meitzler and Hallie Steponaitis each had six kills.

Carmel Vares recorded five kills and led the team with a .333 hitting percentage. Meitzler finished with 26 assists and neared a double-double with eight digs.

The squad’s defensive effort was paced by libero Allison Berent with 13 digs, making her the sole Hawkeye to reach double figures in that category.

Iowa won the opening point on a kill from Steponaitis, and Vesty and Mogridge teamed up for a block to put Iowa up 4-2. Northwestern answered with a decisive 6-0 run that pushed the Wildcats up 14-7, setting the difference in a 25-17 opening set.

Evanston il iowa hawkeyes wide receiver ihmir smith marsette is upended by northwestern

The Wildcats seized early control in the second set, building a 10-4 cushion. Iowa answered with a 3-0 run behind kills from Hannah Whittingstall and two from Steponaitis, but Northwestern held on to take the frame 25-22.

Iowa jumped out to a fast start in the third set behind an ace from Whittingstall and back-to-back kills by Vesty, building a 9-5 lead. Northwestern responded with a 4-0 run to knot the frame at 13-13, eventually converting on match point to close out the match 25-23.

Iowa visits No. 1 Nebraska on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CT). The match will be streamed on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Earlier coverage: Northwestern Sweeps Iowa 3-0 in Dominant Volleyball Victory