LAS VEGAS – University of Iowa volleyball closed out the Rebel Challenge with a sweep over Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday night inside Cox Pavilion. The Hawkeyes were crowned champions of the event. Iowa’s 3-0 start is the best since 2019.

Sophomore Aleksandra Stojanovic and junior Gabby Deery led the Hawkeyes with seven kills apiece. Junior Hannah Whittingstall and Stojanovic did not record any hitting errors throughout the match, hitting .600 and .583, respectively, on a combined 22 swings.

Iowa held CSUB to a .096 hitting clip overall. The Hawkeyes recorded 11 blocks in the match, and tallied double-digit blocks in all three matches this weekend.

Four Hawkeyes made their debuts tonight – redshirt sophomore Allison Berent, freshman Marichka Hoshylyk, freshman Makena Rumple, and redshirt freshman Hallie Steponaitis.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JIM BARNES
“We were able to play several players and gain experience today. We have a talented team with many players getting out there for the first time as Hawkeyes. We showed some great signs, but we have some work to do to get to the level we are capable of playing. Hannah (Whittingstall) was consistent across all three matches and had big time blocking numbers. Sashka (Stojanovic) came alive in our last two matches and made the all-tournament team. Mo (Moisio) was the most consistent player on the court and landed on the all-tournament team. Claire (Ammeraal) was a difference maker and earned tournament MVP honors.”

MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (IOWA 25-12)
Stojanovic started hot for the Hawkeyes with two kills to put Iowa up 3-2. After trailing 7-5, Iowa gained the lead on a service error and two attacking errors from CSUB. The Hawkeyes extended their lead to 12-9 with kills from redshirt sophomore Alyssa Worden and graduate student Chard’e Vanzandt. Iowa used a 4-0 run on Vanzandt’s serve to balloon its lead to 16-10. Stojanovic recorded her first career ace to lengthen Iowa’s lead at 18-11. Whittingstall found the floor at 19-11, forcing a Roadrunner timeout. Deery and sophomore Jenna Meitzler entered late in the first set, with Iowa ending the set on a 6-1 run. Iowa recorded four aces and hit at a scorching .368 clip during the set.

SET TWO (IOWA 25-20)
The Roadrunners jumped out to an early 3-1 lead after finding success with tips and roll shots. Deery and Stojanovic teamed up to block a ‘Runner attack, tying the set at three. Deery was explosive at the pin, recording three kills to tie the set at six. Iowa found separation from CSUB at 12-8, before the Roadrunners used a 5-0 run to take the lead. Following an Iowa timeout, a pair of Iowa kills – including the first of Steponaitis’s career – put Iowa up 18-14. Iowa found offensive production at all positions. A perfectly executed slide from Whittingstall gave way to an Iowa set point. Steponaitis clinched the set with a block. ​​

SET THREE (IOWA 25-20)
CSUB got out to an early lead over the Hawkeyes before Steponaitis recorded three consecutive kills to tie the set at 4-4. A Meitzler ace gave the Hawkeyes the lead on the next point. While Meitzler was serving, Iowa went on a 4-0 run. After a long rally with two great digs from Moisio, a Roadrunner hitting error put Iowa up 9-6. After a few back and forth points, a Meitzler and Rumple block expanded Iowa’s lead to six at 14-8. Rumple’s first career kill came in the set and sprung Iowa’s lead to 16-13. Meitzler continued to spread the ball around and Steponaitis delivered with back-to-back kills, giving Iowa an 18-15 advantage. The Hawkeyes won the race to 20 off a Deery kill. Iowa closed out the match on a Meitzler dump and Rumple block.

Senior Claire Ammeraal was named the MVP of the Rebel Challenge after posting 87 assists, 25 digs, and 20 kills throughout the weekend. She notched her second triple-double as a Hawkeye on Saturday night in the five set win over Utah Tech.

Senior Milana Moisio and sophomore Aleksandra Stojanovic were named to the All-Tournament team. Moisio posted 35 digs this weekend, with a career high 17 digs against Utah Tech. Stojanovic had 21 kills and nine blocks and recorded a career-high 13 kills on Saturday night in the win over Utah Tech.

Up Next: The Hawkeyes host the Kwik Star Klassic Sept. 4-6 at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Iowa welcomes Butler for its home opener on Thursday. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. (CT). The match will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.