The ongoing week is going to be pivotal for the University of Iowa volleyball women’s team. The squad has two games scheduled—one at Xtream Arena on Friday and another in Nebraska on Sunday. Yet the specialty comes from the names of opponents. In the home game, the Hawkeyes will face the B1G rival, Washington. And in the away game, the second-seed team, the Cornhuskers, will wait for the Hawkeyes. Would that be a mountainous challenge for the Jim Barnes-mentored team? 

After facing a rocky season last year, the squad is eager to make a mark this time. Last week, it displayed some sparks, signifying a comeback. But what is about its history that often takes the name of a legendary coach? Ultimately, that information displays the best days of the College Park-based squad. As now the Cyclones are slowly picking up the pace, here are a few facts on its glorious stand. 

History of the Iowa volleyball women’s team

In 2016, the Iowa volleyball women’s team etched a memorable mark in the Big Ten play. It entered the season with an 11-2 record, and at the end of the season, the book of achievements showed 18-15. In fact, in 2015, the Hawkeyes appeared in the Big Ten play with a fantastic number of 10-2. At the end of the season, it achieved a 19-13 record. The feats from two consecutive seasons made the fans remember the legendary coach, Sharon Dingman.

At present, Dingman acts as the head volleyball coach in the Colorado College Athletics. However, she left an impact on the Iowa volleyball women’s team by helping it touch the sky. In her tenure in the Hawkeyes’ fold, she trained Bethany Yeager, arguably the best player in the history of the Hawkeyes volleyball women’s team. Furthermore, under her tutelage, the squad grabbed 14 victories in 2008. Six of those came to the conference. In 2009, the glorious run proceeded further as the Hawkeyes bagged 6-0 standings at the start of the season. But in 2016 and 2017, something different happened. 

As a penalty, all wins from the Hawkeyes’ list (in 2016 and 2017) were vacated. The issue was regarding the then coach, Bond Shymansky, who had violated NCAA rules. The damage already took a toll on the program, and in 2019, he had to lose his job. Now, under coach Jim Barnes, the program is trying hard to stand again, shaking the dust from its gloomy past. 

All about the NCAA Iowa volleyball women’s team’s home venue, records, and achievements

In the last two decades, the Iowa volleyball women’s team has failed to take a grab in the Big Ten Conference. In 2015 and 2016, the program had a phenomenal run, but in the conference, it failed to achieve the same record. In the 2023-24 session, the team ended with a forgettable show. Additionally, it couldn’t earn a single victory in its last 20 matches in the Iowa Invitational. Several of those matches remained against the frontrunners, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Illinois. However, in 2022, it pulled off a few memorable games against Cal Poly, Kent State, Central Michigan, and South Dakota State. However, this season, the situation might change.

Last week, the squad landed a five-set victory against Maryland at its home, Xfinity Pavilion. Notably, Xfinity Arena has caught the eyes of fans several times because of its state-of-the-art facility and atmosphere. Since 2021, the home arena has been playing a major role in setting the tone. Last year, as a result, the team took five victories in the home stint compared to just one victory in the away match. However, Jim Barnes may not want to see such low numbers again. 

Iowa volleyball’s current team and coach

This time, the Iowa volleyball women’s team is looking forward, riding on the shoulders of two extraordinary players—the sophomore Gabby Deery and freshman Malu Garcia. Among them, Gabby found a special mention in the coach’s statement after the much-awaited victory against Maryland. On the other hand, Malu Garcia has achieved the title of Big Ten Freshman of This Week. Apart from these names, the squad will depend on senior Michelle Urquhart and libero Joy Galles.

Both of these players have proved their values in the last few weeks. Galles has gathered 42 total digs, whereas, in the last game, Urquhart claimed a double-double with 16 kills and 16 digs. This exhibition of raw talent and experience has impressed Jim Barnes to a level that he has laid out, “The determination of our team helped us grit out another great win on the road.” Now the fans will want to see this type of flair again and again.