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Saturday, August 18
Cedar Falls, Iowa
4 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Purple and Gold Scrimmage
Competition Highlights Purple & Gold Scrimmage
8/18/2018 6:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Rarely does a scrimmage illicit true competition. When two teams are made up of a mix of starters and role-players, veterans and newcomers, there are often clear deficiencies that can be exploited. Saturday in the McLeod Center for the Purple & Gold Scrimmage, the opposite was the case.
The white team held off a surging purple team to earn a 25-20, 30-28, 15-11 win in the three-set exhibition in front of a sizable crowd.
"I thought this was one of the most competitive scrimmages that we've had," head coach Bobbi Petersen said. "Our five freshmen did a really good job of managing their nerves and finding their way. I like the effort on defense. We didn't do everything right, and there are a lot of things that we need to make huge improvements on, but I like the way that we came back after mistakes. Whenever you can do that, you have a chance."
A good sign for the upcoming season was the improvement at the net defensively. At Thursday's media day, Petersen emphasized the need for improved blocking if the Panthers were going to reach the expectations that have been set, both by the team and with the No. 1 spot in the Missouri Valley Preseason Poll.
"We had a lot of young blockers up at the net because it was a scrimmage and our team was mixed up. I think our veteran blockers, Piper (Thomas) and Kate (Busswitz), did a great job of helping those blockers along. It is a totally different situation when it is game-like than what we have seen in practice," Petersen said.
There are just three players in the junior and senior classes so UNI will depend on the sophomores and freshman in 2018. After watching them compete Saturday, she feels better about the prospect of putting unproven players on the court.
"I feel better about it than I did just seeing them in practice," Petersen said. "They did a good job of working through it. We had a really good crowd here today and that is as game-like as it is going to be until we play against Creighton. It was a big enough crowd that it gave us a good feel of what it is going to be like. You never know how they will respond I feel like they did well today."
The attendance was high, numbering in the hundreds. The success last season and the high preseason expectations have fans in the Cedar Valley excited. Peterson is thrilled to bring high-level completion into the McLeod Center this fall.
"The crowd was amazing. We are so fortunate to have so many people that care about our team and care about our program and care about our team," Petersen said. "We are excited to have so many home matches this season, and we are excited to give our home crowd an opportunity to see some great teams this year."
The Panthers open the season in earnest at the USC Tournament Aug. 24-25 in Los Angeles before hosting Iowa State at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29.
TICKETS
Season tickets are still available for $49. Fans can order online at UNIPanthers.com/tickets.
The white team held off a surging purple team to earn a 25-20, 30-28, 15-11 win in the three-set exhibition in front of a sizable crowd.
"I thought this was one of the most competitive scrimmages that we've had," head coach Bobbi Petersen said. "Our five freshmen did a really good job of managing their nerves and finding their way. I like the effort on defense. We didn't do everything right, and there are a lot of things that we need to make huge improvements on, but I like the way that we came back after mistakes. Whenever you can do that, you have a chance."
A good sign for the upcoming season was the improvement at the net defensively. At Thursday's media day, Petersen emphasized the need for improved blocking if the Panthers were going to reach the expectations that have been set, both by the team and with the No. 1 spot in the Missouri Valley Preseason Poll.
"We had a lot of young blockers up at the net because it was a scrimmage and our team was mixed up. I think our veteran blockers, Piper (Thomas) and Kate (Busswitz), did a great job of helping those blockers along. It is a totally different situation when it is game-like than what we have seen in practice," Petersen said.
There are just three players in the junior and senior classes so UNI will depend on the sophomores and freshman in 2018. After watching them compete Saturday, she feels better about the prospect of putting unproven players on the court.
"I feel better about it than I did just seeing them in practice," Petersen said. "They did a good job of working through it. We had a really good crowd here today and that is as game-like as it is going to be until we play against Creighton. It was a big enough crowd that it gave us a good feel of what it is going to be like. You never know how they will respond I feel like they did well today."
The attendance was high, numbering in the hundreds. The success last season and the high preseason expectations have fans in the Cedar Valley excited. Peterson is thrilled to bring high-level completion into the McLeod Center this fall.
"The crowd was amazing. We are so fortunate to have so many people that care about our team and care about our program and care about our team," Petersen said. "We are excited to have so many home matches this season, and we are excited to give our home crowd an opportunity to see some great teams this year."
The Panthers open the season in earnest at the USC Tournament Aug. 24-25 in Los Angeles before hosting Iowa State at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29.
TICKETS
Season tickets are still available for $49. Fans can order online at UNIPanthers.com/tickets.
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