25
F
reshman middle blocker Amiya
Jones' emergence on the University of
Iowa volleyball team has been accelerated
thanks to her strong connection with sophomore
setter Brie Orr.
Jones had a breakout weekend in Iowa's Big
Ten matches against Michigan State and No. 18
Michigan on Sept. 21 and 23.
Defensively, the Indianapolis
native combined for 11 blocks
over the first weekend and ranks
sixth in the Big Ten with 1.27
blocks per set against conference
foes.
"I am working on finishing
my block," Jones said. "at is
something that is important to me
right now."
But Jones also made her mark offensively with an
18-kill weekend and she is sixth in the Big Ten
with a .396 hitting percentage in Big Ten play.
It has been building to this since the start of the
nonconference season when Jones and Orr were in
the budding stages of their relationship.
"It's important to be on the same page with your
setter because she dictates everything that goes on
in the game," Jones said. "Aer the first pass, she
controls wherever the ball goes. Having a good
relationship with her means that she knows how to
set you and you can score, or she knows where to
put the ball wherever the team needs it."
Orr was spoiled with two seniors providing middle
blocker experience in her freshman season, but
the roles have since been reversed. In addition to
Jones, Iowa welcomed two other freshmen middle
blockers in Hannah Clayton and Sarah Wing.
"I have been getting a lot of reps with the middles,"
Orr said. "Because they are freshmen, the only way
they will learn is from repetition. ere is not a lot
to talk to them about, they just have to go out and
get reps."
With repetition comes learning each
individual's set.
"rough repetition, Courtney
(Buzzerio) and I will learn how each
middle is different," Orr said. "Each
middle will get a different set based on
their style."
"I feel our connection is getting a lot
better," Jones said. "I was nervous at
first. She wouldn't set me because I
wasn't as consistent, but now we have
bonded. I have gotten up more and been more
available. It feels a lot better."
While outside hitters like Taylor Louis, Reghan
Coyle, and Cali Hoye are Iowa's premier hitters,
the middles offer a different vantage point and
quicker attacks.
"e middle is important in the offense because
we can hit holes that the outside hitters may not be
able to," Jones said. "We can see things that other
players may not be able to see."
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes will have another
option in the middle that will become more
consistent.
"It adds another element to the offense with an
offensive middle," Jones said.
OCTOBER SCHEDULE
Oct. 3 at Nebraska
Oct. 6 vs. Wisconsin
Oct. 10 at Rutgers
Oct. 13 vs. Purdue
Oct. 19 at Minnesota
Oct. 21 at Wisconsin
Oct. 24 Northwestern
Oct. 28 at Maryland