CORALVILLE — Iowa Hawkeye volleyball finished the job Saturday, September 26, shaking off a tough conference-opening loss and turning back Rutgers in straight sets to secure its first Big Ten victory of the season.
The Hawkeyes won 25-16, 25-23 and 25-21, improving to 12-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Iowa’s sixth sweep of the season also marked its fourth consecutive victory over the Scarlet Knights.
The result provided an immediate response after Ohio State snapped Iowa’s five-match winning streak Friday. This time, the Hawkeyes delivered the decisive points when the final two sets tightened.
Liv Mogridge, Hannah Whittingstall and Rosa Vesty powered a balanced attack with 10 kills apiece. Jenna Meitzler distributed 39 assists as Iowa finished with 44 kills and a .271 hitting percentage, holding Rutgers to 34 kills and a .145 mark.
“We came out and set the tone again tonight, just like we did against Ohio State. It was good to finish the deal,” Iowa coach Jim Barnes said.
Iowa took command late in the opening set after Rutgers pulled even at 11-11. The Hawkeyes built a 15-13 lead, then broke away behind an 8-1 surge that pushed the margin to 23-15.
Mogridge joined Ksenija Tomic for the closing block in a 25-16 victory. Iowa limited Rutgers to .094 hitting in the set.
The second set required a much tougher finish.
Whittingstall delivered consecutive kills and her third ace of the set as Iowa stretched its lead to 21-15. Rutgers refused to fold, eventually using a six-point run to tie the score at 23-23.
Vesty stopped the comeback with a tip that ended a scrambling rally and gave Iowa set point. Whittingstall followed with the winning kill, putting the Hawkeyes ahead two sets to none.
Mogridge and Whittingstall combined for eight of Iowa’s 15 kills in the second set.
Rutgers again put Iowa under pressure in the third, but Marichka Hoshylyk gave the Hawkeyes a timely lift after moving to the front row. All four of her kills came in the final set.
With Iowa trailing 20-19, Hoshylyk delivered the tying kill. Vesty followed with another to put the Hawkeyes ahead, and Hoshylyk struck again for a 22-20 advantage.
Iowa closed the match on a 6-1 run, with Vesty supplying the final kill.
“Our team showed toughness,” Barnes said. “We are far from where we want to be but are finding ways to win.”
First-year libero Henlee Moszkowicz led Iowa with 15 digs, while Hoshylyk added 10. Mogridge finished with a team-high three blocks, and Whittingstall matched her career best with four service aces.
Hallie Steponaitis contributed five kills. Vesty reached double figures in kills for the second consecutive match and fourth time this season.
Rutgers held a 9-4 advantage in blocks, but Iowa led 48-44 in digs and 42-34 in assists. The Hawkeyes also limited their mistakes at the service line, recording six aces against three errors. Rutgers finished with seven aces and seven service errors.
The victory continued a productive September for Iowa, which beat Milwaukee earlier in the week to reach its best start since 2006 before beginning conference play.
Iowa travels to Maryland on Thursday, October 1. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stephen M. Schanwald Pavilion.