University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Thursday, December 1
Lawrence, Kan.
4 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Creighton
UNI Faces Creighton in NCAA Tournament
11/28/2016 11:55:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
2016 NCAA Tournament Bracket (PDF)
This Week's Action
Thurs., Dec. 1 -- Lawrence, Kan. (Horejsi Family Athletics Center)
UNI vs. Creighton, 4 p.m.
Samford at #5 Kansas, 6:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 2 -- Lawrence, Kan. (Horejsi Family Athletics Center)
Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
• UNI (24-9 overall, 14-4 Missouri Valley Conference) will take on the Creighton Bluejays (26-6 overall, 18-0 BIG EAST) Thursday at 4 p.m. (CT) in Lawrence, Kan., in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
• No. 5-seeded Kansas will play Samford in the other matchup in Lawrence with the winners meeting Friday at 6:30 p.m. for a berth into the Sweet 16.
• All three matches will be streamed live on ESPN3.
• UNI is making its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance - tied for the 16th-most appearances in this year's field. San Diego and Wisconsin also made their 20th NCAA Tournaments.
• This marks the fourth at-large selection for the UNI Panthers into the NCAA Tournament. UNI also earned at-large bids in 2008, 2012 and 2015.
• UNI has posted 14 wins in the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to at least the second round 11 times.
• UNI has made three Sweet 16 appearances (1999, 2001, 2002).
• UNI's last NCAA appearance came in 2015 when the Panthers dropped a five-set decision to Marquette in Minneapolis, Minn., in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
• The Panthers earned the program's 34th 20-win season.
• UNI leads the nation in digs per set (18.71).
• Junior setter Heather Hook ranks No. 9 in the nation in total assists (1,302).
UNI HEADED TO KANSAS FOR 2016 NCAA TOURNAMENT
The University of Northern Iowa women's volleyball team (24-9 overall, 14-4 Missouri Valley Conference) was awarded an at-large bid into the 2016 NCAA Tournament. UNI will take on the Creighton Bluejays in the first round in Lawrence, Kan.
The University of Kansas is the No. 5 overall seed and will serve as the host in the first two rounds. Kansas will play Samford Thursday following the UNI-Crieghton matchup. The winners will meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the right to advance to the Sweet 16.
UNI DRAWS CREIGHTON IN FIRST ROUND MATCHUP
UNI will take on Creighton in a first round matchup on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Horejsi Family Athletics Center in Lawrence, Kan.
UNI holds a 41-7 lead in the all-time series vs. Creighton. The Panthers and Bluejays were long-time foes in the Missouri Valley Conference with the squads playing home-and-home matches from 1994-2012.
UNI and Creighton met earlier this season in Los Angeles at the USC Radisson Classic. Creighton won the match in three sets, 25-20, 32-30, 27-25.
ESPN3 FOR THIS WEEK
All three matches in Lawrence, Kan., this week will be streamed live on ESPN3. Leif Lisec (play-by-play) and Jill Hall (analyst) will call the action.
RADIO COVERAGE
Live radio coverage of the UNI Panther volleyball team can be found on www.UNIPanthers.com and KXEL (1540-AM). All audio will be free of charge (no subscription service).
Chris Kleinhans-Schulz is in his fifth season as the play-by-play voice of Panther volleyball. Chris Mahi will serve as the analyst.
Live Audio Coverage Schedule
Thurs., Creighton - News/Talk 1540 KXEL
Fri., KU/Samford - News/Talk 1540 KXEL
HEAD COACH BOBBI PETERSEN
Head coach Bobbi Petersen is in her 17th year as the UNI head coach.
Petersen has posted an impressive 434-131 record at the helm of UNI's program, with seven Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, eight MVC tournament crowns, 12 NCAA Tournament berths and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances to her credit. She ranks in the top 10 of active Division I coaches in winning percentage (.768).
In 2015, Petersen joined the 400-win club allowing her to become only the fourth MVC coach to earn 400 victories. Petersen joined Linda Dollar (758 - Missouri State), Iradge Ahrabi-Fard (503 - UNI) and Melissa Stokes (464 - Missouri State) in that elite class.
UNI AGAINST THE FIELD
UNI's schedule was loaded with NCAA Tournament teams this season with the Panthers having faced nine teams in the field and having played 12 matches against those teams.
UNI posted five victories over teams in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Panthers defeated Wichita State (twice), Kentucky, Iowa State and Miami (Ohio).
UNI played matches this season against Creighton, Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Missouri State, Southern California and Wichita State.
20TH TRIP TO THE NCAA TOURNEY
UNI is making its 20th appearance and its fourth time as an at-large selection (2008, 2012, 2015, 2016) in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted 14 wins in the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to at least the second round 11 times.
The Panthers have made three Sweet 16 appearances (1999, 2001, 2002).
BOBBI IN THE BIG DANCE
UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen has led the Panthers to 12 NCAA Tournament trips. UNI is 9-11 in NCAA tournament play under Petersen, including two trips to the Sweet 16 (2001, 2002).
1 OF 3 MVC TEAMS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
UNI is one of three Missouri Valley Conference teams to earn a spot in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Wichita State took the automatic bid from the MVC and will play the TCU Horned Frogs in Lincoln, Neb.
Missouri State earned an at-large selection and will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Manhattan, Kan.
HELD EARNS SPOT ON MVC ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
UNI senior Amie Held was named to the MVC All-Tournament team for her play in the 2016 MVC Tournament. Held averaged 4.71 digs per set and 2.57 kills per set in UNI's matches vs. Loyola and Wichita State. Held tallied a double-double vs. the Shockers with 14 kills and 16 digs.
FIVE PANTHERS NAMED TO THE ALL-MVC SQUADS
The UNI volleyball squad had five representatives named to the 2016 All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
UNI's five first or second team honors is the most for the program since the Panthers landed five on the all-conference list in 2010. Kayla Haneline (Plattsmouth, Neb.), Amie Held (Festus, Mo.) and Bri Weber (Dike, Iowa) were the three Panthers to earn first-team all-MVC honors. Heather Hook (Grundy Center) and Kendyl Sorge (Janesville, Iowa) were named to the all-MVC second team.
Haneline, a senior middle blocker, earned her third consecutive first-team all-league honors. She leads the Panther in hitting percentage (.314) and ranks second on the squad in total kills (361).
Held, a senior outside hitter, was named to the all-MVC first team for the second straight season. Held leads the team in kills (365) and service aces (38). She ranks second on the team in total digs (431). Held has collected the second-most digs in school history with 1,987 entering the NCAA Tournament. Held is a five-time MVC defensive player of the week award winner.
Weber, a sophomore outside hitter, earned her first all-MVC first-team honor. Weber is the team leader in kills per set (3.19). She ranks second on the squad in service aces (32). Weber ranks third on the Panthers in total kills (351) and total digs (400).
Hook, a junior setter, earned a slot on the all-MVC second team. Hook ranks No. 20 in the nation in assists per set (11.13), a number which ranks first in the MVC. Hook ranks No. 8 on UNI's all-time assists list with 2,719.
Sorge, a sophomore libero, notched a spot on the all-MVC second team. Sorge is a four-time MVC defensive player of the week honoree this season. She leads the Panthers in total digs (595), a number which ranks as the sixth-best single-season total in school history. Sorge ranks No. 2 on UNI's all-time digs per set list (4.32).
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
UNI ranks No. 1 in the nation in digs per set (18.71).
UNI ranks No. 3 in the nation in total team attacks per set (39.23).
The Panthers also rank No. 9 in the nation in kills per set (14.48).
UNI's 248 total team attacks is the third-highest single-match total in the nation this season.
STREAKS OF NOTE
UNI, Hawaii, Nebraska, Stanford, Penn State and UCLA lead the nation with 36 consecutive non-losing seasons in NCAA Div. I volleyball.
UNI has also posted 32 straight NCAA Division I winning seasons – the sixth-longest active streak in the nation behind Hawaii (36), Nebraska (36), Penn State (36), Stanford (36) and UCLA (34).
WINNING YEAR AFTER YEAR
UNI has won 19 or more matches in 19 consecutive years. UNI secured the 34th 20-win season in program history.
11 OR MORE VALLEY WINS
UNI has won 11 or more Missouri Valley Conference matches in every season since the league went to home-and-home regular season scheduling in 1992.
SORGE WITH 6TH-BEST SINGLESEASON DIG TOTAL
Kendyl Sorge has tallied 595 digs this season, which ranks as the sixth-best single-season total in UNI history.
UNI's Single Season Dig List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2009) 698
2. Ellie Blankenship (2008) 676
3. Ellie Blankenship (2010) 658
4. Candice Burke (2012) 625
5. Ellie Blankenship (2007) 624
6. Kendyl Sorge (2016) 595
7. Candice Burke (2011) 585
8. Amie Held (2015) 577
9. Amie Held (2014) 524
10. Stephanie May (2006) 521
SORGE SURGES TO 1,000 DIGS
Kendyl Sorge became the 16th UNI Panther to surpass the 1,000 dig mark in her career.
Sorge ranks No. 13 on UNI's all-time digs list with 1,050 career digs.
UNI's 1,000-Dig List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2007-10) 2,656
2. Amie Held (2013-present) 1,987
3. Candice Burke (2008-12) 1,737
4. Amy Braun (2009-12) 1,672
5. Stephanie May (2003-06) 1,570
6. Bobbi Becker (1986-89) 1,457
7. Kate Galer (1993-96) 1,368
8. Alexandra Auker (1997-2000) 1,303
9. Bre Payton (2007-11) 1,222
10. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 1,202
11. Miranda Weber (1999-2002) 1,148
12. Laura Rowen (2004-07) 1,145
13. Kendyl Sorge (2015-present) 1,080
14. Jill Arganbright (2000-03) 1,025
15. Kim McCaffrey (1997-2001) 1,015
16. Kim Kester (1999-2002) 1,013
SORGE, HELD RANK HIGH ON UNI'S DIGS/SET LIST
Kendyl Sorge ranks No. 2 on UNI's all-time digs per set list with a 4.32 digs/set average.
Amie Held ranks No. 3 (4.31) on the digs per set list.
Ellie Blankenship (2007-2010) holds down the top spot with a 5.59 digs/set average.
POWER CONFERENCE
UNI is among four MVC schools ranked in the top 70 of the RPI released by the NCAA on Monday.
Wichita State (No. 21), Missouri State (No. 44) UNI (No. 45) and Southern Illinois (No. 69) are all ranked in the top 65 of the latest NCAA RPI.
5 WINS VS RPI TOP 50
UNI has won five matches against top-50 RPI opponents this season.
The Panthers are one of 30 teams in the nation with five or more wins against the RPI Top 50.
Five or more wins vs. top-50 RPI
Rk. Team (Top 50 Wins)
1. Wisconsin (14)
2. Minnesota (12)
3. Nebraska (13)
4. Texas (12)
5. Kansas (11)
6. Washington (10)
7. BYU (5)
8. North Carolina (8)
9. Missouri (5)
11. Stanford (10)
12. UCLA (10)
13. Michigan (8)
15. Michigan State (7)
17. Creighton (5)
18. Kansas State (7)
20. TCU (5)
21. Wichita State (6)
24. Oregon (6)
26. Penn State (6)
27. Iowa State (6)
29. Purdue (5)
31. Utah (10)
34. Ohio State (5)
36. Arizona (8)
39. Pittsburgh (5)
41. Marquette (5)
43. Washington State (7)
45. UNI (5)
48. USC (5)
81. Colorado (6)
HANELINE ECLIPSES 1,000 KILLS
Senior Kayla Haneline ranks No. 15 on UNI's all-time kills list with 1,154.
Amy Sampson ranks No. 14 with 1,177 kills from 2005-2008.
Haneline is one of 25 Panthers to have reached 1,000 career kills.
WEBER, HANELINE AMONG BEST ON UNI KILLS/SET ALL-TIME LISTS
Bri Weber ranks No. 11 on UNI's career kills/set list with a 3.00 average in 242 sets.
Teammate Kayla Haneline ranks No. 13 on UNI's career kills/set list with a 2.90 average in 398 career sets.
HANELINE CLOSES IN ON TOP-10 SOLO BLOCKS LIST
Kayla Haneline ranks No. 11 on UNI's all-time solo blocks list with 61.
With her next solo block, Haneline would tie Shelby Kintzel for No. 10 all-time on the solo blocks chart.
UNI's All-Time Solo Block List
1. Denise Cuttell (1987-90) 90
2. Holly VanHofwegen (1996-99) 86
3. Kari Warren (1983-86) 83
4. Lisa Meeker (1983-86) 74
5. Carrie Shurr (1991-94) 73
6. Danielle Brazda (2003-07) 71
Jill Sprague (1985-88) 71
8. Tricia Mills (1990-93) 65
9. Krsita DeGeest (2008-12) 64
10. Shelby Kintzel (2009-13) 62
DOUBLE-DOUBLE CLUB
Senior Amie Held holds the team lead in double-doubles with 19 this season.
Sophomore Bri Weber is UNI's active career leader in double-doubles with 34.
Sophomore Piper Thomas recorded her first career double-double at Illinois State with 17 kills and 10 blocks.
UNI Double-Doubles
19, Amie Held (33 career)
16, Bri Weber (34 career)
13, Heather Hook (24 career)
1, Piper Thomas (1 career)
HOOK IS TOPS IN THE VALLEY
Junior setter Heather Hook leads the MVC and ranks No. 9 in total assists (1,302).
Hook also ranks No. 20 in the nation in assists per set (11.13).
HELD UP TO NO. 2 ON DIGS CHART
Senior Amie Held ranks second on UNI's all-time digs chart with 1,987.
Ellie Blankenship holds the all-time digs mark at UNI with 2,656 from 2007-2010.
UNI's All-Time Digs List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2007-10) 2,656
2. Amie Held (2013-pres.) 1,987
3. Candice Burke (2008-12) 1,737
4. Amy Braun (2009-12) 1,672
5. Stephanie May (2003-06) 1,570
6. Bobbi Becker (1986-89) 1,457
7. Kate Galer (1993-96) 1,368
8. Alexandra Auker (1997-00) 1,303
9. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 1,202
10. Miranda Weber (1999-02) 1,148
HOOK RANKS 8TH ON ASSIST LIST
Junior Heather Hook ranks No. 8 on UNI's all-time assist list with 2,719.
Jill Arganbright holds the all-time digs mark at UNI with 6,064 from 2000-2003.
UNI's All-Time Assists List
1. Jill Arganbright (2000-03) 6,064
2. Shannon Perry (1996-99) 4,881
3. Bre Payton (2008-11) 4,752
4. Kara Galer (1992-95) 4,265
5. Kristin Belzung (2003-07) 4,256
6. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 3,977
7. Bobbie Kreple (1987-90) 2,780
8. Heather Hook (2014-pres.) 2,719
9. Kinsey Caldwell (2013-14) 2,549
10. Katie Crowley (1988-91) 1,895
HANELINE, HELD NAMED TO MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM
UNI seniors Kayla Haneline and Amie Held have each been named to the MVC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Team.
It marks the third straight first-team honor for Held and the second consecutive year that Haneline has been named to the first team.
Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 scale). Also, students must have participated in at least 75-percent of the regular-season matches. Student-athletes must have reached sophomore status in both athletic and academic standing at their institution (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen were not eligible).
Amie Held, UNI, Sr., 3.82, OH/L, 3.82, Sports Psychology
Three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete First-Team selection in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … first-team all-MVC pick in 2015 and 2016 … second-team all-MVC honoree in 2014 … leads UNI with 38 service aces and 19 double-doubles … tops the team in total kills (365 – 3.12 kills/set) … second on the team in digs (431 – 3.68 digs/set) … posted a career-high 23 kills and added 22 digs in a 3-2 win over Iowa State (Sept. 13) … has 28 double-digit dig matches this season ... has 20 double-digit kill matches this year.
Kayla Haneline, UNI, Sr., 3.59, MH, Biology & Management
Two-time First-Team MVC Scholar-Athlete honoree … three-time all-MVC first-team honoree in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … two-time honorable mention AVCA all-district pick in 2014 and 2015 … leads the Panthers in hitting percentage (.314) … second on the squad in total kills (361) and total blocks (97) … secured a season-high 19 kills at Southern Illinois (Sept. 23) … has 21 double-digit kill matches this season.
SORGE NOTCHES 4TH MVC DEF POW HONOR
Libero Kendyl Sorge (Janesville, Iowa) has earned her fourth overall Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Sorge averaged 6.29 digs per set and tallied 44 total digs in leading UNI to a pair of Missouri Valley Conference victories. Sorge notched 24 digs and added three assists in a 3-1 win at Illinois State. Sorge added 20 digs and three more assists to go along with a service ace in Saturday's 3-0 sweep at Indiana State.
UNI's Multiple Def. POW Selections
Ellie Blankenship - Nine Times
Amie Held - Five Times
Candice Burke - Four Times
Kendyl Sorge - Four Times
11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF APR RECOGNITION, PERFECTION
For the past 11 years the NCAA has recognized teams in the top-10 percent of the Academic Progress Report and the UNI volleyball team has been on the list all 11 years.
In fact, the UNI volleyball team has had a perfect score of 1,000 in each of the 11 years.
UNI volleyball is one of 110 programs in the nation to have earned the recognition in each of the 11 years teams have been honored.
AVCA Team Academic Award
The UNI volleyball team compiled a 3.40 cumulative GPA during the 2015-16 season.
It marks the fifth consecutive season that the Panthers have earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
POLLING NUMBERS
UNI has been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 110 times in program history - the most in the Missouri Valley Conference.
By comparison, the rest of the current teams in the MVC have been ranked 52 times (Wichita St. - 35; Illinois St. - 14; Missouri St. - 3).
In the state of Iowa, UNI's 110 poll rankings puts it on top. Iowa State has been ranked in 77 polls, while Iowa has been ranked in one.
UNI has been ranked in the top 10 in the AVCA poll on 25 occasions. Wichita State has twice been ranked in the top 10 for the second-best number in the MVC.
UNI's highest ranking in the AVCA Top 25 is No. 6 (Sept. 15, 2003).
AMONG ELITE COMPANY
The Panthers rank No. 6 all-time in NCAA Division I winning percentage (.776). UNI trails only Penn State (.865), Hawaii (.856), Nebraska (.841), Florida (.829) and Stanford (.812) in NCAA Division I winning percentage totals.
17 MVC REGULAR SEASON TITLES
The Panthers have tallied 17 MVC regular season titles through the years.
UNI won the regular season title in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
HANELINE, HELD COMPETED FOR USA VOLLEYBALL OVER SUMMER
USA Volleyball selected 36 athletes, including UNI's Kayla Haneline and Amie Held, to participate in the U.S. Collegiate National Team-Indianapolis.
The squad, which is part of USA Volleyball's High Performance pipeline and is considered a second tryout for the U.S. Women's National Team, trained and competed from June 21-30 in Indianapolis.
PANTHERS TABBED FOURTH IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
The Panthers earned one first-place vote in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference coaches poll.
UNI is projected to finish fourth behind Wichita State, Missouri State and Southern Illinois.
2016 PRESEASON POLL
1. Wichita State (7) 97
2. Missouri State (1) 85
3. Southern Illinois (1) 82
4. UNI (1) 72
5. Illinois State 57
6. Loyola 50
7. Indiana State 41
8. Drake 33
9. Bradley 18
10. Evansville 15
HANELINE EARNS PRESEASON ALL-MVC STATUS
Senior Kayla Haneline (Plattsmouth, Neb.) has been named to the preseason all-MVC squad for the second straight year.
Haneline led UNI in kills (3.16/set) and blocks (1.02/set) last year.
FAN FAVORITES
The Panthers consistently have ranked among the national leaders in attendance, including ranking No. 17 with 2,086 fans per home match.
Last season, UNI ranked No. 13 in the nation in average home attendance at 2,277 per match.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONS
UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls.
2016 NCAA Tournament Bracket (PDF)
This Week's Action
Thurs., Dec. 1 -- Lawrence, Kan. (Horejsi Family Athletics Center)
UNI vs. Creighton, 4 p.m.
Samford at #5 Kansas, 6:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 2 -- Lawrence, Kan. (Horejsi Family Athletics Center)
Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner, 6:30 p.m.
• UNI (24-9 overall, 14-4 Missouri Valley Conference) will take on the Creighton Bluejays (26-6 overall, 18-0 BIG EAST) Thursday at 4 p.m. (CT) in Lawrence, Kan., in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
• No. 5-seeded Kansas will play Samford in the other matchup in Lawrence with the winners meeting Friday at 6:30 p.m. for a berth into the Sweet 16.
• All three matches will be streamed live on ESPN3.
• UNI is making its 20th NCAA Tournament appearance - tied for the 16th-most appearances in this year's field. San Diego and Wisconsin also made their 20th NCAA Tournaments.
• This marks the fourth at-large selection for the UNI Panthers into the NCAA Tournament. UNI also earned at-large bids in 2008, 2012 and 2015.
• UNI has posted 14 wins in the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to at least the second round 11 times.
• UNI has made three Sweet 16 appearances (1999, 2001, 2002).
• UNI's last NCAA appearance came in 2015 when the Panthers dropped a five-set decision to Marquette in Minneapolis, Minn., in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
• The Panthers earned the program's 34th 20-win season.
• UNI leads the nation in digs per set (18.71).
• Junior setter Heather Hook ranks No. 9 in the nation in total assists (1,302).
UNI HEADED TO KANSAS FOR 2016 NCAA TOURNAMENT
The University of Northern Iowa women's volleyball team (24-9 overall, 14-4 Missouri Valley Conference) was awarded an at-large bid into the 2016 NCAA Tournament. UNI will take on the Creighton Bluejays in the first round in Lawrence, Kan.
The University of Kansas is the No. 5 overall seed and will serve as the host in the first two rounds. Kansas will play Samford Thursday following the UNI-Crieghton matchup. The winners will meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the right to advance to the Sweet 16.
UNI DRAWS CREIGHTON IN FIRST ROUND MATCHUP
UNI will take on Creighton in a first round matchup on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Horejsi Family Athletics Center in Lawrence, Kan.
UNI holds a 41-7 lead in the all-time series vs. Creighton. The Panthers and Bluejays were long-time foes in the Missouri Valley Conference with the squads playing home-and-home matches from 1994-2012.
UNI and Creighton met earlier this season in Los Angeles at the USC Radisson Classic. Creighton won the match in three sets, 25-20, 32-30, 27-25.
ESPN3 FOR THIS WEEK
All three matches in Lawrence, Kan., this week will be streamed live on ESPN3. Leif Lisec (play-by-play) and Jill Hall (analyst) will call the action.
RADIO COVERAGE
Live radio coverage of the UNI Panther volleyball team can be found on www.UNIPanthers.com and KXEL (1540-AM). All audio will be free of charge (no subscription service).
Chris Kleinhans-Schulz is in his fifth season as the play-by-play voice of Panther volleyball. Chris Mahi will serve as the analyst.
Live Audio Coverage Schedule
Thurs., Creighton - News/Talk 1540 KXEL
Fri., KU/Samford - News/Talk 1540 KXEL
HEAD COACH BOBBI PETERSEN
Head coach Bobbi Petersen is in her 17th year as the UNI head coach.
Petersen has posted an impressive 434-131 record at the helm of UNI's program, with seven Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, eight MVC tournament crowns, 12 NCAA Tournament berths and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances to her credit. She ranks in the top 10 of active Division I coaches in winning percentage (.768).
In 2015, Petersen joined the 400-win club allowing her to become only the fourth MVC coach to earn 400 victories. Petersen joined Linda Dollar (758 - Missouri State), Iradge Ahrabi-Fard (503 - UNI) and Melissa Stokes (464 - Missouri State) in that elite class.
UNI AGAINST THE FIELD
UNI's schedule was loaded with NCAA Tournament teams this season with the Panthers having faced nine teams in the field and having played 12 matches against those teams.
UNI posted five victories over teams in this year's NCAA Tournament. The Panthers defeated Wichita State (twice), Kentucky, Iowa State and Miami (Ohio).
UNI played matches this season against Creighton, Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa State, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Missouri State, Southern California and Wichita State.
20TH TRIP TO THE NCAA TOURNEY
UNI is making its 20th appearance and its fourth time as an at-large selection (2008, 2012, 2015, 2016) in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted 14 wins in the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to at least the second round 11 times.
The Panthers have made three Sweet 16 appearances (1999, 2001, 2002).
BOBBI IN THE BIG DANCE
UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen has led the Panthers to 12 NCAA Tournament trips. UNI is 9-11 in NCAA tournament play under Petersen, including two trips to the Sweet 16 (2001, 2002).
1 OF 3 MVC TEAMS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
UNI is one of three Missouri Valley Conference teams to earn a spot in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Wichita State took the automatic bid from the MVC and will play the TCU Horned Frogs in Lincoln, Neb.
Missouri State earned an at-large selection and will face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Manhattan, Kan.
HELD EARNS SPOT ON MVC ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
UNI senior Amie Held was named to the MVC All-Tournament team for her play in the 2016 MVC Tournament. Held averaged 4.71 digs per set and 2.57 kills per set in UNI's matches vs. Loyola and Wichita State. Held tallied a double-double vs. the Shockers with 14 kills and 16 digs.
FIVE PANTHERS NAMED TO THE ALL-MVC SQUADS
The UNI volleyball squad had five representatives named to the 2016 All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
UNI's five first or second team honors is the most for the program since the Panthers landed five on the all-conference list in 2010. Kayla Haneline (Plattsmouth, Neb.), Amie Held (Festus, Mo.) and Bri Weber (Dike, Iowa) were the three Panthers to earn first-team all-MVC honors. Heather Hook (Grundy Center) and Kendyl Sorge (Janesville, Iowa) were named to the all-MVC second team.
Haneline, a senior middle blocker, earned her third consecutive first-team all-league honors. She leads the Panther in hitting percentage (.314) and ranks second on the squad in total kills (361).
Held, a senior outside hitter, was named to the all-MVC first team for the second straight season. Held leads the team in kills (365) and service aces (38). She ranks second on the team in total digs (431). Held has collected the second-most digs in school history with 1,987 entering the NCAA Tournament. Held is a five-time MVC defensive player of the week award winner.
Weber, a sophomore outside hitter, earned her first all-MVC first-team honor. Weber is the team leader in kills per set (3.19). She ranks second on the squad in service aces (32). Weber ranks third on the Panthers in total kills (351) and total digs (400).
Hook, a junior setter, earned a slot on the all-MVC second team. Hook ranks No. 20 in the nation in assists per set (11.13), a number which ranks first in the MVC. Hook ranks No. 8 on UNI's all-time assists list with 2,719.
Sorge, a sophomore libero, notched a spot on the all-MVC second team. Sorge is a four-time MVC defensive player of the week honoree this season. She leads the Panthers in total digs (595), a number which ranks as the sixth-best single-season total in school history. Sorge ranks No. 2 on UNI's all-time digs per set list (4.32).
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
UNI ranks No. 1 in the nation in digs per set (18.71).
UNI ranks No. 3 in the nation in total team attacks per set (39.23).
The Panthers also rank No. 9 in the nation in kills per set (14.48).
UNI's 248 total team attacks is the third-highest single-match total in the nation this season.
STREAKS OF NOTE
UNI, Hawaii, Nebraska, Stanford, Penn State and UCLA lead the nation with 36 consecutive non-losing seasons in NCAA Div. I volleyball.
UNI has also posted 32 straight NCAA Division I winning seasons – the sixth-longest active streak in the nation behind Hawaii (36), Nebraska (36), Penn State (36), Stanford (36) and UCLA (34).
WINNING YEAR AFTER YEAR
UNI has won 19 or more matches in 19 consecutive years. UNI secured the 34th 20-win season in program history.
11 OR MORE VALLEY WINS
UNI has won 11 or more Missouri Valley Conference matches in every season since the league went to home-and-home regular season scheduling in 1992.
SORGE WITH 6TH-BEST SINGLESEASON DIG TOTAL
Kendyl Sorge has tallied 595 digs this season, which ranks as the sixth-best single-season total in UNI history.
UNI's Single Season Dig List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2009) 698
2. Ellie Blankenship (2008) 676
3. Ellie Blankenship (2010) 658
4. Candice Burke (2012) 625
5. Ellie Blankenship (2007) 624
6. Kendyl Sorge (2016) 595
7. Candice Burke (2011) 585
8. Amie Held (2015) 577
9. Amie Held (2014) 524
10. Stephanie May (2006) 521
SORGE SURGES TO 1,000 DIGS
Kendyl Sorge became the 16th UNI Panther to surpass the 1,000 dig mark in her career.
Sorge ranks No. 13 on UNI's all-time digs list with 1,050 career digs.
UNI's 1,000-Dig List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2007-10) 2,656
2. Amie Held (2013-present) 1,987
3. Candice Burke (2008-12) 1,737
4. Amy Braun (2009-12) 1,672
5. Stephanie May (2003-06) 1,570
6. Bobbi Becker (1986-89) 1,457
7. Kate Galer (1993-96) 1,368
8. Alexandra Auker (1997-2000) 1,303
9. Bre Payton (2007-11) 1,222
10. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 1,202
11. Miranda Weber (1999-2002) 1,148
12. Laura Rowen (2004-07) 1,145
13. Kendyl Sorge (2015-present) 1,080
14. Jill Arganbright (2000-03) 1,025
15. Kim McCaffrey (1997-2001) 1,015
16. Kim Kester (1999-2002) 1,013
SORGE, HELD RANK HIGH ON UNI'S DIGS/SET LIST
Kendyl Sorge ranks No. 2 on UNI's all-time digs per set list with a 4.32 digs/set average.
Amie Held ranks No. 3 (4.31) on the digs per set list.
Ellie Blankenship (2007-2010) holds down the top spot with a 5.59 digs/set average.
POWER CONFERENCE
UNI is among four MVC schools ranked in the top 70 of the RPI released by the NCAA on Monday.
Wichita State (No. 21), Missouri State (No. 44) UNI (No. 45) and Southern Illinois (No. 69) are all ranked in the top 65 of the latest NCAA RPI.
5 WINS VS RPI TOP 50
UNI has won five matches against top-50 RPI opponents this season.
The Panthers are one of 30 teams in the nation with five or more wins against the RPI Top 50.
Five or more wins vs. top-50 RPI
Rk. Team (Top 50 Wins)
1. Wisconsin (14)
2. Minnesota (12)
3. Nebraska (13)
4. Texas (12)
5. Kansas (11)
6. Washington (10)
7. BYU (5)
8. North Carolina (8)
9. Missouri (5)
11. Stanford (10)
12. UCLA (10)
13. Michigan (8)
15. Michigan State (7)
17. Creighton (5)
18. Kansas State (7)
20. TCU (5)
21. Wichita State (6)
24. Oregon (6)
26. Penn State (6)
27. Iowa State (6)
29. Purdue (5)
31. Utah (10)
34. Ohio State (5)
36. Arizona (8)
39. Pittsburgh (5)
41. Marquette (5)
43. Washington State (7)
45. UNI (5)
48. USC (5)
81. Colorado (6)
HANELINE ECLIPSES 1,000 KILLS
Senior Kayla Haneline ranks No. 15 on UNI's all-time kills list with 1,154.
Amy Sampson ranks No. 14 with 1,177 kills from 2005-2008.
Haneline is one of 25 Panthers to have reached 1,000 career kills.
WEBER, HANELINE AMONG BEST ON UNI KILLS/SET ALL-TIME LISTS
Bri Weber ranks No. 11 on UNI's career kills/set list with a 3.00 average in 242 sets.
Teammate Kayla Haneline ranks No. 13 on UNI's career kills/set list with a 2.90 average in 398 career sets.
HANELINE CLOSES IN ON TOP-10 SOLO BLOCKS LIST
Kayla Haneline ranks No. 11 on UNI's all-time solo blocks list with 61.
With her next solo block, Haneline would tie Shelby Kintzel for No. 10 all-time on the solo blocks chart.
UNI's All-Time Solo Block List
1. Denise Cuttell (1987-90) 90
2. Holly VanHofwegen (1996-99) 86
3. Kari Warren (1983-86) 83
4. Lisa Meeker (1983-86) 74
5. Carrie Shurr (1991-94) 73
6. Danielle Brazda (2003-07) 71
Jill Sprague (1985-88) 71
8. Tricia Mills (1990-93) 65
9. Krsita DeGeest (2008-12) 64
10. Shelby Kintzel (2009-13) 62
DOUBLE-DOUBLE CLUB
Senior Amie Held holds the team lead in double-doubles with 19 this season.
Sophomore Bri Weber is UNI's active career leader in double-doubles with 34.
Sophomore Piper Thomas recorded her first career double-double at Illinois State with 17 kills and 10 blocks.
UNI Double-Doubles
19, Amie Held (33 career)
16, Bri Weber (34 career)
13, Heather Hook (24 career)
1, Piper Thomas (1 career)
HOOK IS TOPS IN THE VALLEY
Junior setter Heather Hook leads the MVC and ranks No. 9 in total assists (1,302).
Hook also ranks No. 20 in the nation in assists per set (11.13).
HELD UP TO NO. 2 ON DIGS CHART
Senior Amie Held ranks second on UNI's all-time digs chart with 1,987.
Ellie Blankenship holds the all-time digs mark at UNI with 2,656 from 2007-2010.
UNI's All-Time Digs List
1. Ellie Blankenship (2007-10) 2,656
2. Amie Held (2013-pres.) 1,987
3. Candice Burke (2008-12) 1,737
4. Amy Braun (2009-12) 1,672
5. Stephanie May (2003-06) 1,570
6. Bobbi Becker (1986-89) 1,457
7. Kate Galer (1993-96) 1,368
8. Alexandra Auker (1997-00) 1,303
9. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 1,202
10. Miranda Weber (1999-02) 1,148
HOOK RANKS 8TH ON ASSIST LIST
Junior Heather Hook ranks No. 8 on UNI's all-time assist list with 2,719.
Jill Arganbright holds the all-time digs mark at UNI with 6,064 from 2000-2003.
UNI's All-Time Assists List
1. Jill Arganbright (2000-03) 6,064
2. Shannon Perry (1996-99) 4,881
3. Bre Payton (2008-11) 4,752
4. Kara Galer (1992-95) 4,265
5. Kristin Belzung (2003-07) 4,256
6. Mary Bernhardt (1984-87) 3,977
7. Bobbie Kreple (1987-90) 2,780
8. Heather Hook (2014-pres.) 2,719
9. Kinsey Caldwell (2013-14) 2,549
10. Katie Crowley (1988-91) 1,895
HANELINE, HELD NAMED TO MVC SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM
UNI seniors Kayla Haneline and Amie Held have each been named to the MVC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Team.
It marks the third straight first-team honor for Held and the second consecutive year that Haneline has been named to the first team.
Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 scale). Also, students must have participated in at least 75-percent of the regular-season matches. Student-athletes must have reached sophomore status in both athletic and academic standing at their institution (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen were not eligible).
Amie Held, UNI, Sr., 3.82, OH/L, 3.82, Sports Psychology
Three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete First-Team selection in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … first-team all-MVC pick in 2015 and 2016 … second-team all-MVC honoree in 2014 … leads UNI with 38 service aces and 19 double-doubles … tops the team in total kills (365 – 3.12 kills/set) … second on the team in digs (431 – 3.68 digs/set) … posted a career-high 23 kills and added 22 digs in a 3-2 win over Iowa State (Sept. 13) … has 28 double-digit dig matches this season ... has 20 double-digit kill matches this year.
Kayla Haneline, UNI, Sr., 3.59, MH, Biology & Management
Two-time First-Team MVC Scholar-Athlete honoree … three-time all-MVC first-team honoree in 2014, 2015 and 2016 … two-time honorable mention AVCA all-district pick in 2014 and 2015 … leads the Panthers in hitting percentage (.314) … second on the squad in total kills (361) and total blocks (97) … secured a season-high 19 kills at Southern Illinois (Sept. 23) … has 21 double-digit kill matches this season.
SORGE NOTCHES 4TH MVC DEF POW HONOR
Libero Kendyl Sorge (Janesville, Iowa) has earned her fourth overall Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Sorge averaged 6.29 digs per set and tallied 44 total digs in leading UNI to a pair of Missouri Valley Conference victories. Sorge notched 24 digs and added three assists in a 3-1 win at Illinois State. Sorge added 20 digs and three more assists to go along with a service ace in Saturday's 3-0 sweep at Indiana State.
UNI's Multiple Def. POW Selections
Ellie Blankenship - Nine Times
Amie Held - Five Times
Candice Burke - Four Times
Kendyl Sorge - Four Times
11 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF APR RECOGNITION, PERFECTION
For the past 11 years the NCAA has recognized teams in the top-10 percent of the Academic Progress Report and the UNI volleyball team has been on the list all 11 years.
In fact, the UNI volleyball team has had a perfect score of 1,000 in each of the 11 years.
UNI volleyball is one of 110 programs in the nation to have earned the recognition in each of the 11 years teams have been honored.
AVCA Team Academic Award
The UNI volleyball team compiled a 3.40 cumulative GPA during the 2015-16 season.
It marks the fifth consecutive season that the Panthers have earned the AVCA Team Academic Award.
POLLING NUMBERS
UNI has been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 110 times in program history - the most in the Missouri Valley Conference.
By comparison, the rest of the current teams in the MVC have been ranked 52 times (Wichita St. - 35; Illinois St. - 14; Missouri St. - 3).
In the state of Iowa, UNI's 110 poll rankings puts it on top. Iowa State has been ranked in 77 polls, while Iowa has been ranked in one.
UNI has been ranked in the top 10 in the AVCA poll on 25 occasions. Wichita State has twice been ranked in the top 10 for the second-best number in the MVC.
UNI's highest ranking in the AVCA Top 25 is No. 6 (Sept. 15, 2003).
AMONG ELITE COMPANY
The Panthers rank No. 6 all-time in NCAA Division I winning percentage (.776). UNI trails only Penn State (.865), Hawaii (.856), Nebraska (.841), Florida (.829) and Stanford (.812) in NCAA Division I winning percentage totals.
17 MVC REGULAR SEASON TITLES
The Panthers have tallied 17 MVC regular season titles through the years.
UNI won the regular season title in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
HANELINE, HELD COMPETED FOR USA VOLLEYBALL OVER SUMMER
USA Volleyball selected 36 athletes, including UNI's Kayla Haneline and Amie Held, to participate in the U.S. Collegiate National Team-Indianapolis.
The squad, which is part of USA Volleyball's High Performance pipeline and is considered a second tryout for the U.S. Women's National Team, trained and competed from June 21-30 in Indianapolis.
PANTHERS TABBED FOURTH IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
The Panthers earned one first-place vote in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference coaches poll.
UNI is projected to finish fourth behind Wichita State, Missouri State and Southern Illinois.
2016 PRESEASON POLL
1. Wichita State (7) 97
2. Missouri State (1) 85
3. Southern Illinois (1) 82
4. UNI (1) 72
5. Illinois State 57
6. Loyola 50
7. Indiana State 41
8. Drake 33
9. Bradley 18
10. Evansville 15
HANELINE EARNS PRESEASON ALL-MVC STATUS
Senior Kayla Haneline (Plattsmouth, Neb.) has been named to the preseason all-MVC squad for the second straight year.
Haneline led UNI in kills (3.16/set) and blocks (1.02/set) last year.
FAN FAVORITES
The Panthers consistently have ranked among the national leaders in attendance, including ranking No. 17 with 2,086 fans per home match.
Last season, UNI ranked No. 13 in the nation in average home attendance at 2,277 per match.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONS
UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls.
Players Mentioned
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
PST: Isabelle Elliott (2025)
Friday, November 14
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 13)
Wednesday, November 12
Bobbi Petersen Press Conference - Nov. 10, 2025.
Tuesday, November 11
PST: Lindsay Oldendorf (2025)
Friday, November 07