CORALVILLE — Iowa volleyball finally broke through against UCLA on Saturday night, riding a career-high 20 kills from Rosa Vesty to a five-set victory that snapped a seven-match losing streak at Xtream Arena on October 24, 2026.
The Hawkeyes won 16-25, 26-24, 25-22, 17-25, 15-12 to claim their first victory over the Bruins in five meetings. Iowa improved to 13-11 overall and 2-8 in Big Ten play.
It took a determined comeback in the second set and another strong response in the fifth to finish the job. Iowa erased three set points to avoid falling into a two-set hole, then delivered an error-free attacking performance in the deciding frame.
Vesty delivers a career night
Vesty finished with 20 kills on a career-high 43 attacks, hitting .302 while adding three blocks and an assist. She became the first Hawkeye to reach 20 kills this season and the first since Chard’e Vanzandt did it against Penn State on November 29, 2025.
Her final swing settled the match.
With UCLA still hanging around after fighting off two match points, Vesty buried her 20th kill to secure the 15-12 fifth-set victory.
“Rosa (Vesty) got the start tonight because of how well she has been practicing,” Iowa coach Barnes said. “We are not surprised by her performance tonight.”
Hannah Whittingstall supplied 15 kills on 28 swings and led Iowa with five blocks. Hallie Steponaitis and Ksenija Tomic added 14 kills apiece, giving the Hawkeyes four players in double figures.
Setter Jenna Meitzler directed an offense that hit .297 and collected 11 digs for her eighth double-double of the season. She also contributed four blocks and two service aces.
Hawkeyes turn back three set points
UCLA controlled the opening set, using repeated scoring runs to pull away for a 25-16 win despite five kills from Whittingstall.
The Bruins appeared positioned to take command of the match in the second set. A 4-0 run helped UCLA build a 13-8 lead, and Iowa eventually faced a 24-21 deficit.
The Hawkeyes answered with five consecutive points.
Tomic delivered the tying kill at 24-24. Whittingstall followed with a block that gave Iowa set point, and Steponaitis finished the comeback with a kill for a 26-24 victory.
Iowa carried that momentum into the third set. After taking a 3-2 lead, the Hawkeyes stayed in front the rest of the way. Vesty helped stretch the advantage to 21-16, and Tomic ultimately closed out the 25-22 win after UCLA fought off three set points.
Iowa’s defense collected 18 digs in the third set.
Iowa finishes strong in the fifth
The Hawkeyes held an 11-9 lead in the fourth set following a Steponaitis kill and a Jaimie Marquardt ace, but UCLA took over and forced a deciding set with a 25-17 victory.
Iowa opened the fifth with a 3-0 burst before the Bruins responded. Trailing 7-5, the Hawkeyes put together the run that would decide the match.
Tomic started the five-point surge with a kill. A UCLA attack error tied the score, Whittingstall put Iowa ahead, and the Hawkeyes extended their lead to 10-7.
Steponaitis later delivered consecutive kills to make it 13-9. Meitzler served an ace for a 14-10 advantage before Vesty supplied the winner.
Iowa hit .500 without an attack error in the fifth set and forced four UCLA errors.
“It was crucial that we limited our errors,” Barnes said. “We were able to calm down a little better in the fifth set tonight.”
Defense and serving help Iowa end skid
UCLA finished with the higher hitting percentage, .338 to Iowa’s .297, but the Hawkeyes found an edge at the net and limited mistakes at the service line.
Iowa recorded a season-best 11.5 blocks in Big Ten play, compared with UCLA’s eight. Liv Mogridge joined Meitzler with four blocks behind Whittingstall’s team-leading five.
Libero Henlee Moszkowicz anchored the back row with 18 digs, her most since September 25 against Ohio State. Allison Berent added 11 digs.
Whittingstall, Meitzler and Marquardt each served two aces. Greta Schlichter came off the bench to deliver her first ace of the season. Iowa committed four service errors, half of UCLA’s eight.
The victory moved the Hawkeyes to 2-2 in five-set matches this season.
“UCLA is a really good team. I am so proud of how we stuck together,” Barnes said.
Next up: Road test at Washington
Iowa travels to face nationally ranked Washington on Friday, October 30, with first serve scheduled for 9 p.m. Central time.
The Hawkeyes will look to build on a breakthrough victory that ended their seven-match slide and delivered their second conference win. Follow more Hawkeye and area athletics news in NorthIowaToday.com’s sports coverage.