Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa women's volleyball team secured a 3-0 victory over Murray State at the SEMO Invitational in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on Friday. The win improved Iowa’s record to 7-1, marking its best start through eight matches since 2006.

Iowa recorded a .400 hitting percentage in the match, tying for the sixth-highest mark in program history. The Hawkeyes posted 48 kills and just 10 errors, with a side-out rate of 70.6 percent.

Fourteen players contributed kills during the sweep, with six recording no hitting errors. Graduate student Chard’e Vanzandt led with eight kills and a .583 hitting percentage. Junior Gabby Deery added seven error-free kills on 13 attempts. Middle hitters Aleksandra Stojanovic and Hannah Whittingstall each had five kills.

Senior setter Claire Ammeraal registered 25 assists over two sets played, while libero Milana Moisio led defensively with eight digs.

Freshman Makena Rumple and sophomore Hallie Steponaitis came off the bench in the third set to each contribute three error-free kills. Iowa's defense was particularly effective in that set, tallying five of its nine total blocks. Peyton Young, Jenna Meitzler, and Whittingstall each finished with three blocks.

Head coach Jim Barnes said after the match: “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.”

In the first set, Iowa jumped out to an early lead behind strong serving from Whittingstall and efficient offense from both pins and middles, finishing with a .500 hitting percentage while holding Murray State to .091.

Set two saw Murray State briefly take its first lead before Iowa responded with a decisive run highlighted by contributions from Deery and freshman Carmel Vares as well as defensive plays at the net by Vares and Stojanovic.

Iowa made several substitutions in set three but maintained control despite a late push from Murray State. Freshmen Marichka Hoshylyk and Gia McGrew contributed key points late in the set before an error by Murray State ended the match.

The Hawkeyes will finish their participation at the SEMO Invitational against Weber State on Saturday at noon Central Time; there will be no video stream available for that contest but fans can listen live via John Evans on the Hawkeye Radio Network.