Iowa City Today

Iowa’s women’s volleyball team is set to play two away matches in Michigan this week. The Hawkeyes will face Michigan State on Friday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m. (CT) in East Lansing and then travel to Ann Arbor to take on the University of Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, October 11, at 6:00 p.m. (CT). Both matches will be available for streaming on B1G+, with radio coverage provided by the Hawkeye Radio Network via YouTube.

The Hawkeyes have seen notable achievements this season. Graduate student Chard'e Vanzandt reached her 1,000th career kill during Iowa's sweep over Maryland on September 25. "Graduate Chard'e Vanzandt recorded her 1,000th career kill in Iowa's sweep over Maryland on Sept. 25," according to the team. Of their ten wins so far in 2025, eight were achieved by sweeping their opponents.

Setter Claire Ammeraal recently posted a season-high of 50 assists in a five-set loss against Oregon and is approaching the milestone of 3,000 career assists. The team has secured nine non-conference victories this year—the most since the program’s record in 2014.

Vanzandt was named MVP of the Hawkeye Invitational after recording 22 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. The team also started its season with six consecutive wins, matching its best start since 2009.

Looking ahead to their upcoming opponents, Michigan State holds a record of 12-2 and completed an undefeated non-conference schedule for the first time since 2012. The Spartans are led offensively by Malayah Long with 542 assists and supported by Karolina Staniszewska and Evie Doezema who have contributed significantly in kills. Kristen Kelsay is serving her first season as head coach.

Michigan enters the weekend with an overall record of 11-4 and one win in Big Ten play—against No.10 Minnesota. Allison Jacobs leads their offense with a total of 208 kills and was recognized as Big Ten Co-Player of the Week earlier this season after strong performances across four matches. Morgan Burke surpassed her own milestone with more than 2,000 career assists during a recent match against Wisconsin.

For Iowa, several players rank among conference leaders following two weeks of league play. Libero Milana Moisio leads the Big Ten with a total of 205 digs; middle hitter Aleksandra Stojanovic ranks third in hitting percentage at .443; while setter Claire Ammeraal is sixth in assists but has recorded more kills than any other setter in the conference so far this year.

The team also notes significant contributions from international athletes such as Carmel Vares and Aleksandra Stojanovic—both delivering high efficiency rates—and Greta Schlichter providing defensive support.

After these road games, Iowa will return home for two matches at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against USC (October 17) and UCLA (October 19). This marks Iowa’s first return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena since fall of the 2021 season due to previous scheduling changes.

Seven teams from the Big Ten Conference are currently ranked within the AVCA Top-25 poll—including Nebraska at No.1 nationally—with additional teams like Illinois and UCLA receiving votes.

Tickets for upcoming home matches can be purchased through hawkeyesports.com.