Volleyball team wins first match of season

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Jen Bova didn't care how she kept the ball in play.

She dove on the floor, ran into the scorer's table and chased balls headed out of bounds that most people might have simply let fall.

"Her heart is one of the things that makes our team go, with the way she scrambles for the ball and puts the ball up in playable situations," Purdue coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said. "She did an excellent job of giving us a chance to win."

Bova, Purdue's setter, had 35 assists, seven kills, five block assists and five digs to help Purdue beat Iowa 35-33, 30-25, 30-27 Friday in the team's home opener. And although the Boilers fell to No. 17 Minnesota in three games Saturday, they were happy to get a win.

"It felt so awesome; everyone was going in the right direction and everyone was focused," senior Maegan Petersen said. "Actually, I feel like that was the first time our team played together."

Purdue had begun the season 0-6, losing three times in Seattle and three times in Oxford, Ohio; however, the fans in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility made the Boilers comfortable at home.

The Boilers had spotlight introductions for the first time in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility, using a new system with louder speakers that was installed this summer.

A rowdy cheering section full of members of the Purdue men's swimming and diving team supplemented the band, cheerleaders and more than 1,200 fans at the match.

"It was just an adrenaline rush," Bova said. "The whole atmosphere was uplifting and it was easy to play and never get down."

Bova, who, much like a point guard in basketball, directs most of the offense, got the ball to teammates for kills all night long during the win.

"Everything was coming together and we didn't let the past affect how we played," the sophomore said. "We felt like we were starting clean."

Against Iowa, Bova set up her teammates and helped Purdue hit at a higher attacking percentage than its opponent for the first time all season. Freshman Leah Wischmeier had 11 kills to lead the team. Petersen and sophomore Eryn Leach had 10 kills each. Tiffany Yoskey led the team with eight digs and six block assists.

"We had different people step up at different times, and that was critical for us," Hulsmeyer said.

Petersen had nine kills to lead Purdue during their 30-21, 30-24, 30-24 loss to Minnesota (8-2, 2-0 Big Ten) Saturday.

The Boilers (1-7, 1-1), who wore American flag ribbons in their hair, hadn't played since Sept. 8 because their last four scheduled matches were canceled in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the country.

"That's what we talked about before. It's been so long since we played that it feels like our season was re-starting, and the players responded well," Hulsmeyer said. "They not only showed their heart, but they exhibited the feeling going around America right now — through adversity comes greatness."

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