EVANSTON, Ill. — University of Iowa volleyball fell to Northwestern, 3-0, Friday night inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Senior setter Bailey Ortega moved up in the all-time assist ranks, posting 13 assists to amass 2,164 in her career. Ortega passed Jitka Stehnova’s 2,159 career assists from 2002-03.

Redshirt freshman Nataly Moravec led the way for the Hawkeyes with 11 kills, hitting at a percentage of .333. Redshirt junior Amanda Darling recorded 12 digs for the Hawkeyes, with fifth year Caitlan Buettner and freshman Kaia Mateo posting 10 digs a piece. Ortega and Mateo each registered 13 assists for Iowa.

Set 1 (Northwestern, 25-23): Northwestern came out with a kill, but Moravec responded, putting one down herself. Freshman Gabby Deery also posted a kill, bringing the set to a tie, two-all. A couple of Wildcat errors gave Iowa the lead. Moravec and freshman Rosa Vesty teamed up at the net to shut down a Northwestern attack attempt. Vesty then paired up with redshirt junior Anna Davis on the other side of the net for a block. The set stayed tight throughout the beginning, and the teams met at nine after a kill by redshirt senior Delaney McSweeney. Following an Iowa timeout, the Hawkeyes capitalized on a Northwestern error. The Wildcats pushed ahead, but a kill by Deery shortened the gap to two. Iowa pushed Northwestern into a timeout, scoring off three-consecutive possessions. The Wildcats only led by one after Moravec and McSweeney stood strong at the net for block, and forced Northwestern into another timeout. Both teams battled at the end, exchanging points. Deery put down a kill to put the ball back into the Hawkeye’s hands, down 23-24. Iowa fought but fell short, and Northwestern took the set.

Set 2 (Northwestern, 25-14): Iowa clinched the first point of the set thanks to a kill by Buettner. Northwestern went on an offensive run early, but a Wildcat error and a Vesty kill brought the set within one. Iowa trailed closely behind throughout the beginning. The Hawkeyes posted back-to-back kills by Davis and Moravec. Northwestern jumped ahead, until Moravec posted another successful attack from the outside. The Wildcats put down a couple of kills, leading the Hawkeyes to take a timeout. Moravec found an open spot on the other side of the net for a kill. Hawkeye duo Buettner and Vesty paired up at the net for a block, making it a three-point spread. Northwestern jumped ahead, and Iowa took a timeout. Iowa came out of the timeout strong when Vesty and Deery teamed up for a block. The Wildcats stretched the spread, and ended the set on top.

Set 3 (Northwestern, 25-23): Deery put one down out of the right side to start the set, and Buettner served an ace to follow. Northwestern met Iowa at two. The teams tied again at three after a kill by Moravec. Moravec stopped a Wildcat run with a kill and gave Iowa the possession back. Iowa went on a 3-0 run, registering back-to-back kills by Buettner and McSweeney. After a Buettner kill, the Hawkeyes took advantage of a couple Wildcat errors to lessen the spread to two. The two teams exchanged kills for six possessions, and the Hawkeyes trailed closely behind. Iowa shortened the gap to one, down 17-16, and forced Northwestern into a timeout. Buettner came through swinging from the outside and put down a kill, bringing the set to a tie at 17. Northwestern jumped ahead, but Iowa called its own timeout came out strong with three-consecutive points, including a kill by Buettner to tie the set at 20. The teams met again at 21, 22, and 23. Both teams battled, but Northwestern won the last point and ultimately the match.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes travel to Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday, Nov. 25 to play the Badgers. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+ (subscription required).