Nov. 13, 1999
By DaVida Smith
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team defeated Iowa tonight in a 3-0 victory (15-10, 15-6, 15-8). The Boilermakers, now 15-10 (7-9 Big Ten), have not recorded this many season wins since the 1993 campaign. First-year Purdue head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer is impressed with the team's progress.
"I was very pleased with our performance tonight," Hulsmeyer said. "We have improved our play drastically since the last time we met Iowa. Our passing is better, and we didn't give up a single reception error, which is what killed up earlier this season."
The Boilers rallied to pull off the important conference victory over the 4-9 (3-13 Big Ten) Hawkeyes. Hulsmeyer views the night as a critical win.
"This was a critical win towards what we are trying to accomplish in the conference," Hulsmeyer said. "The team really came through."
The Boilers hit for .237 percent, while holding the Hawkeyes to only .088. Junior Julie Doud led the Boilers for the fourth match in a row with 16 kills, while senior Aneska Arosarena contributed 10. Senior Sarah Emke led in blocks with seven, while classmate Connie Paul and Doud were good for six. Hulsmeyer thought it was a win than can be attributed to teamwork.
"This win was a complete team effort," Hulsmeyer said. "The middles did a good job blocking tonight, and Doud got into a rhythm to pick up some key kills. Sophomore Christy Case stepped up to for Maegan Petersen, who was having a little knee trouble."
Purdue's team effort began to show early, as it scored the first two points of Game 1. Iowa quickly countered to knot the score 2-all. The Boilers stepped out and grasped a three-point advantage. The Hawkeyes were on their tails, though, as they came back to tie the score once again at 5. The game met deadlock again at 8, before Iowa went on a 2-1 run to capture its first lead of the night. That would be the Hawkeye's last opportunity to score in the game, as Purdue came back to win 15-10.
The Boilers dominated Game 2 by hitting .231 percent and holding Iowa to a mere .024. Purdue jumped out to an early 6-1 lead. Iowa got in two, before the Old Gold and Black erupted and extended its lead to 10-3. The Boilers continued to pour it on by going on a 4-3 run, making the score 14-6. Case put the finishing touches on the game with an ace, allowing the Boilers to take the 2-0 match lead.
Purdue came out on top in Game 3 with a 15-8 win. The Boilers began on a 5-1 run, led by two blocks by Emke and two kills from Doud. Doud continued dominate by scoring two aces, taking the lead 9-2. Iowa was able to get in three more, but the Boilers would go on a 6-3 run to end the game and match 15-8. The Boilers will head to Madison for midweek competition against the Wisconsin Badgers. Wednesday's match time is 7p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on WAZY (1410 AM) and www.purduesports.com.