Iowa Volleyball: Hawkeyes Travel to Play Two Ranked Conference Teams This Week

Iowa (9-16, 3-11) continues their Big Ten season with two challenging road matches. First up is a trip to Ann Arbor to face #23 ranked Michigan (17-7, 10-4) at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Then Iowa travels to Lincoln to face #6 ranked Nebraska (20-3, 12-2) at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

From hawkeyesports.com:

SCOUTING NO. 23 MICHIGAN

• Michigan is 17-7 overall and 10-4 in the Big Ten to rank fifth.
• The Wolverines are riding a four match winning streak with wins over Illinois twice, Michigan State, and Northwestern.
• Michigan ranks third in the conference in hitting percentage with a team average of .271.
• Paige Jones is third in the conference with 3.83 kills/set, while MacKenzie Welsh is third with 10.97 assists per set.
• Iowa was defeated by Michigan in Iowa City on Oct. 11. The Hawkeyes trail the all-time series 25-43.
• Michigan is coached by Mark Rosen, who is in his 20th season.

SCOUTING NO. 6 NEBRASKA

• Nebraska is 20-3 overall and 12-2 in conference.
• Iowa and Nebraska faced off inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Nov. 9. Nebraska defeated Iowa, 3-0.
• The Huskers face Michigan State in a midweek match before hosting the Hawkeyes on Nov. 16.
• Nebraska is coached by John Cook, who is in his 19th season.

Last week Iowa lost at home to both Illinois on Wednesday and then to Nebraska on Saturday.

With only six matches left on the season, Iowa will face four teams that are currently ranked in the top 25.

Stat Stuffers

Junior OH Griere Hughes took over the team lead with 284 kills on 680 total attempts (.251 hitting percentage). Due to injuries, sophomore OH Courtney Buzzerio took over the setting duties but is still second on the team with 240 kills on 616 attempts (.242 hitting percentage).

Junior DS Halle Johnston is leading the team with 422 digs.

Sophomore MB Hannah Clayton has 67 blocks (0.74 blocks per set) to lead the squad. Freshman Blythe Rients has 29 blocks but just started seeing regular playing time and leads the team with 0.78 blocks per set.

Freshman MB Rients and OH Kyndra Hansen, both from Minnesota, have seen a lot more playing time as the season has progressed and are stepping up for the Hawkeyes.

Upcoming Schedule

Wednesday, November 13: Iowa at Michigan at 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 16: Iowa at Nebraska at 7 p.m.

How to Follow Along

• Live stats for each contest are linked on the team’s schedule page or on hawkeyesports.com/vblive.
• Wednesday’s match at Michigan will be aired live on Hawkeye All-Access ($) with John Evans on the call.
• A live stream of this weekend’s matches are available on BTN+ or FloVolleyball (subscriptions required).