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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Iowa State Presents Tough Hurdle For UI

For some curious reason, Idaho’s volleyball team is visiting Ames, Iowa, to meet Iowa State at 5:30 PST tonight in the NCAA Tournament.

The 21st-rated Vandals (28-4) are the only ranked team to be packing their luggage for the first round. Unranked Iowa State (21-11) was second in the Big Eight Conference Tournament and has won seven straight at home.

“I don’t think the kids are down,” said UI coach Tom Hilbert, who had hoped for a home match. “I think they’re ready to go.”

UI has less court experience than the Cyclones, but more NCAA experience. This is upperclass-dominated Iowa State’s first NCAA appearance, while the Vandals are in the tourney for the fourth straight year. UI has won first-round matches the last two years.

Hilbert has been scrambling for information on the Cyclones and has come up with some data from Oklahoma’s staff. Hilbert was an assistant at Oklahoma before taking over at Idaho.

“Looking at their schedule and ours, they’re similar to us,” Hilbert said. “They’ve got a couple of nice players.”

Tonight’s winner advances to play against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday.

KRPL (AM 1400) radio in Moscow will broadcast tonight’s match live.

, DataTimes