On Nov. 9, it was an unfamiliar sight for the Iowa volleyball team, as Carver-Hawkeye Arena was filled with a sea of red. The traveling Nebraska fans showed up in droves, creating a raucous atmosphere as the Hawkeyes took on No. 7 Nebraska.

“We thought there was going to be a lot of people, but it made it a fun environment and a warm up for next week when we go on the road next week,” sophomore Courtney Buzzeiro said.

The Hawkeyes started off the match strong, playing with a level of intensity and sharpness to match the occasion. Griere Hughes started it off with a bang, as the outside hitter emphatically buried a kill to open the match.

Kyndra Hansen, Blythe Reints, and Hughes each tallied two kills early on in the first set to help Iowa keep pace with an aggressive Cornhuskers side. Nebraska pulled away late, winning five of the last six points. A couple of Hawkeye errors were finished off by a grueling rally as the Cornhuskers won 25-21.

The Hawkeyes started off the second set in a similar fashion to the first, as Iowa took an early lead and stayed with the Cornhuskers for the early part of the set. Nebraska pulled ahead big after earning six of seven to take the lead 12-6. Lexi Sun continued to rack up kills on her way to 14.

Freshman Grace Tubbs tallied her first kill of her college career, sending Carver-Hawkeye into a frenzy. After Nebraska pulled away to lead 24-14, the Hawkeyes rattled off four-straight points including two kills by Reints as the Hawkeyes eventually fell, 25-18.

The third set was a stroll for Nebraska, as a pair of four point runs by the Cornhuskers saw them tally an unassailable lead to finish off the game.

The Hawkeyes once again remained competitive on the attack, but Nebraska’s extremely efficient attacking percentage (.432) reigned supreme over Iowa’s problematic .103. A large part of this was due to Nebraska’s stellar defense, recording nine blocks and 31 digs.

Despite the loss, several Hawkeyes had solid games. Hughes continued her solid form in Brie Orr’s absence with 12 kills and a block, while Hansen had six kills and a block.

In the backcourt, freshman Joslyn Boyer secured eight digs, while Halle Johnston added six more.

In the absence of Orr, Buzzeiro assisted 21 times and is starting to feel more comfortable as a setter.

“The connection is doing a lot better, getting used to the way I set,” Buzzeiro said.

It was revealed on Sunday that Orr is suffering from a concussion and is still recovering on a day-by-day basis.

“She’s having positive forward movement, so at least we are not stalling here,” head coach Vicki Brown said.

Looking forward, the Hawkeyes hit the road this week with matches against Michigan and Nebraska.