Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1046648
33 A s the temperature drops and the leaves change color, it serves as a reminder to the University of Iowa volleyball team to how long its season is as the team changes gears heading into the second half of its Big Ten schedule. e Hawkeyes began their 2018 campaign in August and now enter November, the final month of the season, at 12-11 and 4-8 in Big Ten play. With a couple historic wins under its belt, Iowa looks finish the season strong while once again searching for its winning ways. "October into November is the toughest part of the season," Iowa head coach Bond Shymansky said. "You are not at the beginning and you are not at the end. We are always tweaking and changing things as a coaching staff from a day-to-day basis and still making sure we are anchored in a daily discipline. at is getting down to work and doing the same things that we always do." Part of the tweaks the team is making is also making sure it uses each player to their fullest potential. "As we're searching for new lineup solutions, this is the time where each player has to make sure they are serving their team with the uniqueness they bring into our team atmosphere," Shymansky said. Fortunately, the Hawkeyes will be able to continue their search inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the majority of the season. "We're excited that five of our last eight matches are at home so we want to take advantage of that," Shymansky said. "We get a full week of preparation for Rutgers and Penn State and it gives us the opportunity to make sure we are finding the right ways to click together as a unit." Playing at home gives Iowa an advantage for those five remaining games since winning on the road is one of the toughest things to do in volleyball, especially in the Big Ten. "We've been road warriors this year and have some big road wins and none bigger than the one at Iowa State and that has moved our belief forward in our program," Shymansky said. "Now we need to be able to do that at home. is is where we would expect the maturity and discipline and experience of our upperclassmen leadership group to keep us on our mission." While the upperclassmen's expectations are clear, the underclassmen are still learning the ropes as they prepare a sprint toward the finish line. Freshman Amiya Jones has been a steady presence in her first year, playing every set for the Hawkeyes this year. "Amiya Jones has shown she has great potential and she is starting to utilize that potential as she becomes more of an offensive threat," Shymansky said. "ere is so much self-doubt and questioning when you are playing in the Big Ten as a freshman. You just have to keep working forward." NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 2 Rutgers Nov. 3 Penn State Nov. 7 Nebraska Nov. 10 at Michigan State Nov. 16 at Indiana Nov. 17 at Purdue Nov. 23 Maryland Nov. 24 Ohio State