From UNI Athletics
NORMAL, Illinois – The UNI volleyball team defeated the #2 seed Drake Bulldogs 3-0 in Thursday’s MVC Quarterfinal match. The Panthers won with set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-20.
1st Set: The instate rivals had a seesaw start before the Bulldogs went on a 3-0 run to lead 9-6. The Panthers responded with a 5-0 run with help from 3 consecutive attack errors by the Bulldogs. The teams traded leads before UNI moved ahead 22-18. UNI won the set 25-19 after 10 ties and 4 lead changes. UNI hit .100 with 15 kills and 10 attach errors.
2nd Set: UNI moved out to an early lead and held it until the Bulldogs tied the set at 10-10. UNI maintained the lead and went on a 5-0 run to lead 20-14. The Panthers ran away late in the set and won 25-21. UNI recorded 13 kills, 4 blocks and 5 aces in the set.
3rd Set: Another back and forth opening in the third set before the Bulldogs went on a 4-0 run to lead 9-7. The Panthers tied the set at 14-14 and would take off to win the set 25-20 after a 3-0 final run. Payton Ahrenstorff capped off the set with a service ace, her second of the game and of the season. The Panthers recorded 18 kills with 2 blocks and 1 ace.
THE PANTHERS
-Have made 36 consecutive MVC Tournament semifinals
-Lowest seed to ever make a semifinal
-UNI hit .179 with 46 kills on 140 attempts
–Emily Holterhaus recorded her 11th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs.
-Freshman setter Tayler Alden recorded a team high .364 hitting percentage with 6 kills to go along with her 35 assists.
THE BULLDOGS
-MVC Player of the Year Haley Bush was held to 7 kills and a .129 hitting percentage.
-Emily Plock led the Bulldogs with 14 kills and a .312 hitting percentage.
-Caitlyn Smith recorded 27 assists and 13 digs
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