Sept. 23, 2000
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Purdue volleyball team hit below .100 Saturday in Carver-Hawkeye Arena as they fell in three to Iowa. The Boilermakers fell to 8-6 (0-2 Big Ten), while Iowa improved to 6-3 (2-0 Big Ten).
"It was a direct contrast from what we saw last night," Purdue head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said. "When a young team turns out a big emotional performance, you worry about them being flat the next night and that's what happened tonight."
Poor passing and hitting plagued the Boilermakers. The Old Gold and Black hit at a clip of .049 (27-22-102) and only recorded 25 assists on the night. Freshman Joanna Lowry led Purdue with five kills. Outside hitters Julie Doud, who sat out Game 3, and Jennie Williams and Lori Knicker, known as a defensive specialist, pitched in four kills apiece.
"Lori brings a great attitude and works hard for this team," Hulsmeyer said. "She helped spark the team and tried to bring the fight back."
Purdue could not rebound from the Hawkeyes' early 8-3 advantage. The Boilermakers got in two more points, but could not stop Iowa as they went on a 7-2 run to take Game 1, 15-5.
The Boilermakers were simply outplayed in Game 2 as they hit at a clip of .000 (9-9-41) and fell 15-8. Purdue nabbed a 2-0 lead to start Game 3, but were not able to hold on as Iowa took the game and the match with a 15-9 win.
The Boilermakers return to West Lafayette next weekend to face No. 17 Michigan State and No. 21 Michigan in its Big Ten home opener.
"Its tough to win on the road in the Big Ten," Hulsmeyer said. "We have to go back to the drawing board and toughen up. We have to be ready to defend the home court as we prepare for the very good top-25 teams we have coming in."