The first Hawkeye volleyball win against Michigan State in the tenure of Bond Shymansky finally came Sept. 21.

Despite the nonconference slate, some of the rust from the offseason was apparent in both teams — 9 service errors occurred in the first set. The play quickly cleaned up, though, as focus intensified throughout the match.

The fast, strong kills by the Michigan State squad were hard for Iowa to stop in the first set. The Hawkeyes made up for the strength and talent of the young Spartans with smarts, their experience obviously playing a major factor.

Reghan Coyle and Brie Orr responded to some strong Michigan State kills in the first half with well-placed floaters over the net. Orr closed the set out for the Hawkeyes with a similar kill.

The momentum carried into the second set for the Hawkeyes. With an early block and kill, Cali Hoye helped the Iowa squad to a 5-1 lead in the set.

The Spartans showed a lot of fight in the second set. Sophomore Alyssa Chronowski posted an impressive 9 kills through the first two sets.

But the Hawkeyes found their groove in the second, winning, 25-14. Fans in Carver-Hawkeye could nearly feel their first win over the Spartans in several years and a continuation of the Hawkeyes’ six-match winning streak.

On their last legs, the Spartans made the third set more difficult for Iowa. Their aggressiveness continued through several lead changes and gave them to a late 22-21 lead over the Hawkeyes.

The end of the set proved contentious because of a controversial late call, but Orr finally finished the match in dramatic fashion with another quality floater over the net, pushing Iowa to a 26-24 win.

The win was a big steppingstone for Shymansky’s Hawkeyes as they continue to build. The Hawkeyes will host undefeated Michigan on Sept. 23.