From UNI Athletics
NORMAL, Illinois – The UNI volleyball team played their final match of the season on Friday afternoon, falling to the Loyola Ramblers 3-1 in the MVC semifinal round. The Panthers fell with set scores of 17-25, 25-17, 24-26, 23-15.
1st Set: The Panthers got out to an early in the opening set but were unable to maintain the advantage. The Ramblers ran away with the set in the final points, winning 15-17 going on a 12-2 run to end the set. The Panthers hit .195 as a team with 12 kills, 1 block and 1 ace.
2nd Set: The Ramblers moved ahead early before UNI moved ahead 6-5, Uni then moved ahead 11-7 after a 3-0 run and forced a Rambler timeout. The Panthers ran away with the set, winning 25-7 to even the match at 1-1. The Panthers finished the set with 14 kills and one ace.
3rd Set: Loyola moved out to a 9-6 lead early but the Panthers were able to tie the set at 11-11. The Panthers led until the Ramblers surged to retake the lead at 20-19 after a 4-0 run. After a wild final point, the Ramblers came out on top 26-24. The Panthers recorded 15 kills with 2 aces in the set.
4th Set: The Panthers moved out to a 7-4 lead to open the set. The Panthers again moved head following a 4-0 run to lead 12-10. With the match tied at 20-20 the Ramblers moved ahead and were able to finish the match with a 25-23 set victory. UNI hit .135 with 14 kills and 3 aces.
THE PANTHERS
-First 7 seed in MVC history to make the semifinal round.
-UNI made the semifinals for a conference record 36 consecutive seasons.
–Emily Holterhaus recorded her 12th double-double of the season with a team high 15 kills and 12 digs.
–Tayler Alden finished with 41 assists and 6 assists on 17 total attacks.
THE RAMBLERS
-Second MVC Tournament win.
-First trip to the MVC Championship match.
-Ramblers hit .214 with 54 kills.
-Elle Van Grinsven led the Ramblers with 14 kills and a .379 hitting percentage
-Jenna Appel finished with 47 assists.
