IOWA CITY — The Iowa volleyball team set out to appear in the inaugural Big Ten volleyball tournament this season. With the tournament set to begin next week, the Hawkeyes currently find themselves on the outside of the 15-team field at 17th in the Big Ten standings.
The Iowa volleyball team rounded out its 2026 nonconference schedule against Milwaukee at Xtream Arena in Coralville on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Hawkeyes won 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17).
“It’s do or die here,” head coach Jim Barnes told the Quad-City Times on Monday. “We got to win these last two, at least, of these three. Then, everybody else has to do some things as well for us to make the tournament.”
Iowa needs at least two wins over its final three matches, along with help elsewhere in the conference, to climb past Maryland and Rutgers in the standings. The Terrapins (13-12, 3-11 Big Ten) own the tiebreaker over the Hawkeyes (13-15, 2-12 Big Ten) after winning the regular-season meeting. Iowa also trails the Scarlet Knights (12-14, 3-11 Big Ten) in the conference standings, but owns the tiebreaker.
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Though they do not control their own destiny, Barnes remains motivated by the chance to appear in the tournament — slim as it might be.
“We’ll go in and fight like heck to beat Northwestern on their floor,” Barnes said. “This is the upside of the Big Ten tournament too is that teams are playing hard all the way to the end to try and make this tournament. That’s another brilliant part of adding this tournament, the tournament’s doing really well. They’re selling tickets like crazy. There’s like four of us trying to fight like crazy to get in it. It’s an exciting end to see who gets in, and hopefully we can rise to the occasion.”
Even if Iowa falls short of the tournament, Barnes believes the experience gained this season will benefit a roster that could return nearly intact next year. Fifth-year middle hitter Liv Mogridge is the Hawkeyes' lone expected departure.
“It’s what we don’t have this year,” Barnes said. “Next year it will be extremely valuable — the continuity — everyone knowing what to expect and what to do. Experience is so big in our sport. It is such a mental game. If you can be mentally ahead because of experience, you’re going to play more consistent. Returning most everyone is going to be big for us, and we’re adding a good class who signs tomorrow.”
Iowa’s path to the Big Ten Tournament runs first through Northwestern (7-18, 0-14 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes head to Evanston, Illinois, to take on the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz called Ryan Field in Evanston “Kinnick East” on Saturday after a 24-10 win. Barnes hopes to see a similar takeover in support of his squad.
“It’s a little bit of a ton of Iowa people in that area,” Barnes said. “It’s kind of interesting going there and seeing a lot of Iowa fans in the stands. Both teams are playing for something, and so we expect to go in there and have a big fight. … We definitely have a lot of alumni there and former players around that area, who will come and watch. It is a unique experience to go there and see so many people you know.”
After Northwestern, the Hawkeyes travel to No. 1 Nebraska (25-0, 14-0 Big Ten). The Huskers have yet to lose a regular-season match under second-year head coach Dani Busboom Kelly.
“They have the three things you want when you’re trying to build a team,” Barnes said. “They have unbelievable experience, they have unbelievable talent and they’re incredibly driven. And, they’re helped that way because there’s so many eyes on that program. They’re playing in front of sellout crowds every single night.”
Barnes, a 32-year coaching veteran, said Nebraska's 2026 squad is among the best college volleyball teams he's seen in his career.
“It’s probably one of the top two or three teams I’ve seen in college ever put together,” Barnes said. “Not just this season. I think they’re the best team, maybe top two or three, to ever play.
“… They aren’t letting up on anyone. They’re sweeping people, they’re taking it to everyone. They’re on a mission because they want to win a national championship.”
After this weekend, the Hawkeyes host Illinois for senior night on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. in the home finale at Xtream Arena.
All three matches will be available for streaming on Big Ten+ (subscription required) and will be broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
