CORALVILLE, Iowa – University of Iowa volleyball won the Kwik Star Klassic with a sweep of Loyola Chicago on Saturday afternoon at Xtream Arena. Iowa improves to 6-0, matching the best start in program history since 2009. This is the fourth time in school history the Hawkeyes have started 6-0. Iowa is now 6-2 all-time against Loyola Chicago.

Senior setter Claire Ammeraal recorded her second double-double of the season with 30 assists and 12 digs. Senior libero Milana Moisio recorded 12 digs, five assists, and two aces in the win. Pin hitters Carmel Vares and Chard’e Vanzandt terminated 11 and 10 kills, respectively, and hitting above .250.

As a team, Iowa hit .255 and held Loyola Chicago to .189. The Hawkeyes were out-blocked by the Ramblers, 10-5, but held the advantage in digs at 45-40.

Up Next: Iowa travels to the SEMO Invitational in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Sept. 11-13. The Hawkeyes play Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Houck Field House. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast live on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

The Atlantic Trojans claimed their first win of the season in Denison Friday night with a 30-8 win over the Denison-Schleswig Monarchs. Atlantic showed vast improvement from week one to week two with a phenomenal defensive performance. The offense made the biggest jump, not only establishing the run but executing several explosive play-action passes. Although it wasn’t a perfect game, the Trojans looked impressive in bringing their record to 1-1. 

Atlantic had the run of play in the opening quarter. They controlled time of possession and field position with two of the Trojans’ first three drives starting in Denison-Schleswig territory. Despite punting on their opening drive, the special teams unit came through with a punt to set up the offense in position to score. However, a holding penalty would set the Trojans back, and they would ultimately settle for a 29-yard Trevor Ellison field goal. Up 3-0, the Atlantic defense would force yet another punt and which allowed the offense to go on a drive that would see Atlantic on the cusp of the red zone by period’s end.

After penalty backed up the Trojans once again, the Trojans faced 3rd and 16, but on the opening play of the second quarter, Zayden Parker delivered a wonderful ball to Brock Goodrich for a 30-yard score to give Atlantic a 10-0 lead. However, after this point, the quarter belonged to the Monarchs. Blaine Grady responded with a 30-yard pass of his own to a wide-open Andy Pederson, who walked in for the touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, the lead had been cut to just two. In a game that heavily featured the run, time moved quickly while neither offense gained much ground. However, it was more of a win for Denison-Schleswig to keep Atlantic’s lead at 10-8 heading into the half.

Where Atlantic controlled the opening quarter, they dominated the second half. Once again, the defense held firm, forcing a punt on the Monarch’s opening drive. As had been the case at times throughout the night, the Trojans found themselves behind the sticks due to some errors. However, Ethan McNeal as part of his 116 rushing yards picked up a huge conversion on 3rd & 12 to keep the drive alive. a Few plays later, Parker hit on another play action pass that set up McNeal for a six-yard score to make the lead 16-8. The defense would continue to come up big throughout the rest of the night but cashed in on Denison-Schleswig’s next drive. as Carter Hadley picked off Grady and behind a wall of Trojan blockers ran it back 25-yards for a pick six to put Atlantic in firm control of the ball game. Up 23-8, the Monarchs were forced to lean on the passing game, but it proved unsuccessful as the Trojans continued to defend well. However, the Trojan offense wasn’t done. Another explosive play-action pass from Parker saw Corbin Ritter go upstairs to come down with the ball and then jog the rest of the way into to the endzone to put away all doubts with 9:52 left to go.

Overall, it was a massive improvement for Atlantic. Parker finished 5-for-9 for 121 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense had 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and a touchdown. Both sides of the ball improved on their week one performance, and although the run dominated the call sheet, it was the explosive passes that made all the difference. Head coach Joe Brummer was very pleased with his team’s effort, especially his defense’s second half.

The passing game was the most improved area of Atlantic’s game in week two, and the execution and dedication to improvement made the difference.

Brummer was pleased with the way his team turned around after week one and the way they controlled the line of scrimmage.

Atlantic will be back at home next week to face 2-0 Des Moines Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 P.M. at the Trojan Bowl. Catch all the action on KJANTV.

8-Man

• Audubon – 76 vs Griswold – 8 
• CAM – 46 vs. Coon Rapids-Bayard 40
• East Mills – 46 vs. Stanton – 8
• Boyer Valley – 18 vs Fremont-Mills – 20
• Sidney – 6 vs Woodbine – 86
• Bedford – 50 vs Lenox – 14
• Glidden-Ralston – 14 vs Ar-We-Va – 15

11-Man

• Atlantic – 30 vs. Denison-Schleswig – 8
• Mount Ayr – 32 vs. Riverside – 44
• AHSTW – 54 vs Red Oak – 13
• Tri-Center -14 vs. OABCIG – 18
• ACGC – 54 vs. Southwest Valley –  6
• Central Decatur – 18 vs. Nodaway Valley – 33
• Clarinda – 13 vs Shenendoah – 20
• Glenwood – 17 vs Harlan – 12
• St Albert – 31 vs IKM-Manning – 26
• Missouri Valley – 0 vs Logan-Magnolia – 31
• Des Moines Christian – 28 vs Roland-Story – 7
• Spencer – 27 vs Carroll – 19
• Woodward-Granger – 36 vs Greene County – 19
• Kuemper Catholic – 52 vs Algona – 21
• Thomas Jefferson – 38 vs Storm Lake – 12
• Treynor – 13 vs Van Meter – 21
• Winterset – 28 vs Creston – 27
• Boone – 48 vs Perry – 7
• Ogden – 25 vs Eagle Grove – 24
• North Mahaska – 0 vs Madrid – 50
• Bishop Heelan Catholic – 27 vs Le Mars – 21
• Lewis Central – 27 vs Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 30
• Pella Christian – 20 vs Pleasantville – 21

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Alex Natale has been named an assistant coach with the University of Iowa women’s rowing program, it was announced Friday by head coach Jeff Garbutt.

“I am excited about the addition of Alex to the staff,” said Garbutt. “She brings a wealth of knowledge from her time rowing in Philadelphia and Great Britian. I am looking forward to watching her help out first year athletes grow and develop into rowers this fall.”

Natale joins the Hawkeyes from Gwynedd Mercy Academy, where her crew claimed the Varsity 4+ title at SRAA Nationals and competed in the Groton School Challenge for Junior 4+ at Henley Women’s Regatta. She has previous coaching experience at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (2023-2024), also serving as an assistant coach.

“I am honored to join the University of Iowa and the Hawkeye rowing program,” said Natale. “This program is built on resilience, competitive spirit, and the growth of student-athletes both on and off the water— qualities that closely align with my coaching philosophy. To be a Hawkeye means carrying forward a legacy of pride and hard work while embracing progress and striving for future success.”

As an athlete, Natale won the Kerr Cup Regatta and Kelly Cup Regatta in the varsity eight in 2022, was invited to the US Rowing National Team U23 Selection camp and won the Dad Vail Regatta in 2021, and won the first varsity eight gold medal at the CAA Championships for the Dragons.

The Philadelphia native earned her bachelor’s degree from Drexel University in Civil Engineering in 2022 and her master’s from Oxford Brooks University in applied sport and exercise nutrition in 2024.

CORALVILLE, Iowa – University of Iowa volleyball opened the Kwik Star Klassic with a sweep of Butler on Thursday night at Xtream Arena. Redshirt sophomore Alyssa Worden recorded a career-best 11 kills and hit .240. With the win, Iowa is 4-0 for the first time since 2016.

The middle duo of junior Hannah Whittingstall and freshman Aleksandra Stojanovic both hit over a .500 clip, terminating nine and four kills, respectively.

Senior Claire Ammeraal finished the night with a double-double, amassing 33 assists and 13 digs. Senior Milana Moisio held down the defense with 15 digs. Three Hawkeyes made their debuts in the home opener. Freshmen Marichka Hoshylyk, Gia McGrew and Peyton Young entered in the third set and scored their first kills as Hawkeyes.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JIM BARNES
“This was one of those matches that was so fun to coach because of how many of our players were able to get in. Add to that that we did not drop a set. Every player that came in came ready and had kills. I love that we had three freshmen get the first kills of their career. It is evident how hard the team plays for one another and that is what is special. When we play fast and low error, we’re hard to beat. This team has the ability to do some things that haven’t been done here in awhile.”

MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (IOWA 25-17)
The match started back and forth, with Iowa finding its first point of an Ammeraal and Stojanovic connection. A Whittingstall slide knotted the set at 3-3. Iowa grabbed its first lead of the night at 5-4 off a Butler error. A kill and service ace from Ammeraal lengthened the Hawkeyes lead to 7-5. Freshman Carmel Vares’ first kill at home helped Iowa side out at 9-6. After neither team was able to find much momentum, a great pass from junior Greta Schlichter to Ammeraal to Whittingstall gave Iowa an 11-10 advantage. The Hawkeyes used a 4-0 run to push ahead of the Bulldogs and take a 16-13 lead through the media timeout. The Iowa front row was on fire, finding holes in the Bulldog defense. Vares’ third kill gave Iowa set point at 24-17. Despite nine ties in the opening set, the Hawkeyes pulled away in the second half to take it. Iowa finished the set after hitting a scorching .484.

SET TWO (IOWA 25-14)
Iowa kept the momentum from the first set to fuel a dominant second set performance. The Hawkeyes fired off four straight kills to take an early lead, behind the serving arm of Schlichter. A Vares kill built Iowa’s lead to 6-1. Worden remained impactful, drilling her sixth kill to give Iowa an 8-1 lead. Butler rallied within five at 14-9, but would not be able to close the gap. Iowa stretched its lead to 17-9 with back-to-back Vanzandt aces. Worden’s 10th kill forced a Butler timeout at 20-12. Following the timeout, Worden set her career high in kills. Iowa closed out the wire-to-wire set win on a kill from Whittingstall.

SET THREE (IOWA 25-21)
Freshman Marichka Hoshylyk made her Hawkeye debut in the third set, getting the nod to start the frame. Moments later, she would drill her first kill as a Hawkeye. The teams traded points through the first half of the set. After Butler won the race to ten, Iowa responded with back-to-back points. Service errors from both teams prevented either squad from gaining separation. In a set that featured 13 ties and seven lead changes, Iowa ultimately pulled ahead late. Kills from freshmen McGrew and Young ignited the energy in the crowd and on the bench. A kill from junior Gabby Deery sealed victory for the Hawkeyes.

Up Next: Iowa battles Illinois State on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. inside Xtream Arena. The Redbirds were reverse swept by Loyola Chicago on Thursday. The Hawkeyes’ match with Illinois State will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required) and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Iowa State hosts Iowa in the 72nd meeting in the Cy-Hawk series and the 16th ranked Cyclones will be in search of their first win over the Hawkeyes in Jack Trice Stadium since 2011. The home team has not won in this series since 2018.

That’s Iowa State coach Matt Campbell who feels Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski is much better than he showed in a season opening win over Albany.

Campbell is expecting to face an improved Iowa pass game.

The Iowa defense will try to slow down Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht. He has five touchdown passes and has completed 69 percent of his throws in a 2-0 start. Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz.

Iowa has won its last six games in Ames.

After rushing for 310 yards in the opener Ferentz is hoping for more balance against the Cyclones.

Kickoff in Jack Trice Stadium is 11am. The game will be televised by FOX. You can also hear the game on KJAN beginning with the pre-game show at 9-a.m.!

The Atlantic Trojans are looking to rebound after their week one defeat and pick up their first win of the season as they hit the road to face the Denison-Schleswig Monarchs. Despite a 32-7 loss to Glenwood last week, head coach Joe Brummer saw some positives, especially on the defensive side of the ball, that he and the Trojans will look to carry over into week 2.

Despite being in the same conference, the varsity football teams have not seen each other since 2017. Since 2008 the Trojans are 3-7 against the Monarchs with the most recent win coming in 2015. Despite the long hiatus of a varsity game, they have played at the middle school level more recently and both coaches are familiar with each other, which is why Brummer is expecting a hard-nosed challenge.

On offensive, the Trojans will look to make a big step in the run game. Last week, Atlantic was held to 92 rushing yards and Brummer says it starts with what they are doing at the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, they did well against the last week run limiting the Rams to 3.2 yards per carry. However, this week they will face a different style of ground attack.

Ultimately, both teams are in similar situations, looking to rebound from an opening week loss. Both will look to accomplish many of the same things especially on the ground. As the game will primarily feature the run attack, possessions and what you do with them will be extremely important, protecting the football and the ability to control the line of scrimmage will mean all the difference.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm and you can catch all the action on KJANTV starting at 6:30 pm.

Clarinda – 9 vs Creston – 0

Clarinda winners: Taylin Walter (2), Ellie Cole (2), Chandy Nothwehr (2), Alivia Higgins (2), Layla Hargis (2), Taylor Vrba (2)

Lewis Central – 9 vs Red Oak – 0

Lewis Central winners: Macie Meaike (2), Lucy Edwards (2), Lily Edwards (2), Avary Maas (2), Miley Harrill (2), Emily Bills (2)

Harlan – 6 vs Abraham Lincoln – 3

Harlan winners: Catherine Fah (2), Lauren Schmitz (2), Rebekah Christensen, Mariajose Guerrero Luna, Chloe Swensen (doubles), Allison Retzlaff (doubles)

Abraham Lincoln winners: Tori Hansen (2), Eliot Powers, Lexie Nelson (doubles)

Denison-Schleswig – 5 vs Sioux City East – 4

Denison-Schleswig winners: Claire Olsen (2), Jacee Jepsen (2), Ella Bahnsen (2), Kacie Schulte (doubles)

Sioux City East winners: Faith Kranz (2), Zahra Shinall, Beverly Jo Adams, Kate Koppelman (doubles)