Playing its first games in November, the Iowa volleyball team will try to avoid a double-digit losing streak when it travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to face Purdue at 6 p.m. today.

In the midst of a nine-game losing streak, the Hawkeyes (6-15, 1-11) will try to get their second Big Ten win this year against a tough Boilermakers squad that defeated Iowa in straight sets on Oct. 3. In that match, Purdue won the first two sets by a combined 50-25 score.

The Hawkeyes will also play at Indiana this weekend at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Hoosiers (17-7, 5-7) are the only conference foe that Iowa has defeated this year, a five-set thriller that was the team’s last win. That match, on Oct. 1, came down to the final points, with Iowa winning the last frame, 17-15.

Iowa’s last eight matches will be for pride as the team was officially eliminated from NCAA Tournament contention last week. A team must have a .500 or better record in conference play in order to qualify.

— by Ian Martin