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University of Northern Iowa
Western Illinois
Panthers Defeat Western Illinois
11/15/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2005
Macomb, Ill. - Laura Rowen (Hansell, Iowa) had 17 kills and 21 digs to lead the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team to a 3-1 win over Western Illinois Tuesday night at Western Hall. Game scores were 30-26, 21-30, 30-27 and 30-16 in favor of the Panthers.
UNI featured a balanced offensive attack, as five Panthers reached double figures in kills. Joining Rowen in double digits were Trista Humpal (New Hampton, Iowa) with 13, Stephanie Germann (LeMars, Iowa) and Danielle Brazda (Omaha, Neb.) each with 12, and Ashten Stelken (Manchester, Iowa) with 10. In addition to Rowen, Germann also posted a double-double, tying her career high with 15 digs.
The Panthers held leads of 17-9 and 27-20 in the first game, before the Westerwinds came storming back. WIU pulled to within 28-26, before back to back kills by Brazda and Kristin Belzung (Ankeny, Iowa) gave UNI a 30-26 win in the first game.
After Western Illinois evened the match with a 30-21 win in the second game, the Panthers took game three, 30-27. With the score tied at 19-all, UNI went on a 10-4 run to open a 29-23 edge. WIU scored four straight points to pull within 29-27, but Humpal put the ball away to give the Panthers the game.
UNI controlled the fourth game, going on an early 10-2 run to open a 17-9 lead. The Panthers held a double-digit lead much of the way, cruising to a 30-16 win and the match victory. UNI held WIU to -.065 hitting (9-12-46) in the four game.
UNI won the statistical battle in nearly every category. The Panthers posted more kills (68-57), digs (92-78) and blocks (9.0-3.0), while also recording a higher hitting percentage (.246-.155).
With the win, UNI improves to 18-10 on the season, while Western Illinois falls to 17-13. The Panthers return to the West Gym this Friday (Nov. 18) when they host Creighton at 7:00 p.m.
