IOWA CITY, Iowa -- With seven matches in the spring season under its belt, the University of Iowa volleyball team closes the season with the first of two home matches this weekend.
UI head coach Bond Shymansky leads his team into action Friday at 5:30 p.m. (CT) against Iowa State. The spring season has been an opportunity for athletes to try new things and improve on others.
“The spring season is definitely about growing and developing new and bigger roles for everybody in the program,” Shymansky said. “They get twice as much training opportunity, twice as much playing opportunity, and twice as much exposure as individual athletes.”
Last weekend, the Hawkeyes battled Northern Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska-Omaha, and Northern Illinois in Cedar Falls, where Shymansky continued to see growth from his team.
“I thought our group showed great improvement and there were some players that really stepped up and stood out,” Shymansky said. “Our passing group continues to get better and better. Brie Orr is really starting to lead our offensive unit and find good rhythm. Reghan Coyle is able to take over at times as a terminator. We use the phrase ‘Buzz is back’ as Meghan Buzzerio’s confidence is starting to hit full stride. She’s gotten stronger, smarter, and more capable.”
Iowa will be tested Friday, facing an Iowa State program that finished the 2017 season with a 22-7 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
“In the midst of all this we want to keep growing strong together as a team, so playing against other quality programs is really important to test and examine our metal,” Shymansky said.
Admission to Iowa’s match against Iowa State on Friday is free. The Hawkeyes’ final bout of the spring season is April 21 against Northern Iowa inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.