Jim Barnes Head Coach | University of Iowa Athletics
Jim Barnes Head Coach | University of Iowa Athletics
The University of Iowa volleyball team secured a three-set sweep over Maryland in its Big Ten opener at Xtream Arena on Thursday night. The Hawkeyes improved their season record to 10-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play, marking the first time since the 1999-2000 seasons that they have won consecutive league openers.
Iowa’s home performance has also been strong, with a 6-1 record at Xtream Arena and eight sweeps so far this season.
Graduate student Chard’e Vanzandt led the Hawkeyes with 14 kills, reaching a personal milestone during the match. Her 12th kill marked the 1,000th of her collegiate career.
“I had never thought about reaching 1,000 kills,” Vanzandt said. “I really don’t keep up with my stats. Obviously, it’s a great accomplishment, but it isn’t possible without my setters and passers.”
Head coach Jim Barnes commented on Vanzandt’s achievement and role on the team: “Chard’e is our leader. The team rallies behind her. She is a special athlete – to move from the left side after playing middle her entire career is just not something you see. For her to play that well already shows how hard she works.”
Senior Claire Ammeraal contributed with her third double-double of the season by recording 31 assists and 11 digs along with six kills. Junior Hannah Whittingstall added nine kills while hitting .538 and led defensively with seven blocks. Sophomore Aleksandra Stojanovic finished error-free with six kills and posted a team-high .667 hitting percentage.
Service aces played a significant role in Iowa’s victory; both Stojanovic and sophomore Jaimie Marquardt served three aces each.
Iowa concluded the match with a .330 hitting percentage while holding Maryland to .204. At the net, Iowa out-blocked Maryland nine to four.
Coach Barnes reflected on the win: “1-0. That is what we talked about. We wanted to come out strong. Everything we learned in the preseason games came out tonight. We showed that we are coachable and can learn. We brought all of those things to the table tonight. We dominated in serve and pass in the first two sets and then showed a lot of toughness to win set three.”
The Hawkeyes will next face No. 7 Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon at Xtream Arena.
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