HAWK TALK

October 2018

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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

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