Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1190034
27 T he road map to the University of Iowa's 2019 success can be traced back to the previous spring. at's when the Hawkeyes began to buy into the training and the team culture. It translated to a 7-0 spring record, where the team outscored its opponents, 19-2. "is group worked hard to develop themselves as people and a team last spring," said head coach Dave DiIanni. "e success we had in the spring mattered. We scored a lot of goals and they started believing we could win." A weeklong trip to Europe followed in May, bringing a close-knit group of Hawkeyes closer. It laid the foundation for a 2019 season where Iowa won 15 games, tying a single-season school record. e Hawkeyes placed fih in the Big Ten Conference with seven victories, tying a school record, and earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. e success began with a perfect run through the nonconference season, where the Hawkeyes rolled to nine victories to open the regular season. Iowa went on the road to post victories over two eventual NCAA Tournament teams — No. 14 North Carolina State and Notre Dame. "When we were able to win like we did in the nonconference, that was a testament to us believing this is who we are," said DiIanni. "We were able to win close games and we were never out of a game. at created a positive momentum and mindset throughout the year." DiIanni calls the 2019 Hawkeyes a resilient team and one that forged ahead when things were tough. e team's backbone was a 13-player senior class. Members of the class joined the program in 2016, a year removed from a seven-win season. e Hawkeyes won eight games in 2016, nine in 2017, and eight in 2018, before putting it together in their final go-round. "ey came in when it was a low point and forged through the tough times and were able to reap the benefits at the end," he said. "e group was big in numbers, had impactful players, and players that maybe didn't play as big of a role. "ey were great teammates, good role models, and were invested. ey had the gauntlet of things you look for in a good class — talent and camaraderie and they were connected in doing it together." at connectivity and chemistry was instrumental in the team's success. "ey were a unified group for a common goal and that created mental toughness," said DiIanni. "I had so much pride and joy coaching this team. "We had fun, and even at the end when we lost at Kansas, the realization that we weren't going to get to train the next day together was heartbreaking. is team cared so much for one another and wanted to continue playing together."