University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Clemson
UNI Tops Clemson, 3-2
8/26/2006 8:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2006
West Lafayette, Ind. - Junior setter Kristin Belzung (Ankeny, Iowa) posted a triple-double to help lead the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team to a 3-2 win over Clemson today at the Mortar Board Classic. Game scores were 36-38, 30-15, 30-21, 29-31 and 15-13.
Belzung had 11 kills, 64 assists and 20 digs in the match, becoming the first Panther player to have a triple-double since Nov. 28, 2003, when former All-American Molly O'Brien had 10 kills, 11 digs and 15 blocks against Wichita State. Belzung's kill and assist totals against Clemson were both career-highs, while her dig total was one shy of her all-time best.
Fellow junior Laura Rowen (Hansell, Iowa) also had a stellar match, recording 23 kills and 23 digs. She became the first Panther do record 20 or more kills and digs in the same match since Alex Auker (21 kills, 21 digs) did the trick on Sept. 26, 2000 against Iowa.
UNI came from behind in the fifth game to earn the win. Clemson jumped out to a 9-5 advantage, but the Panthers rattled off four straight points to even the score at 9-all. The score was still knotted at 13 when Rowen posted a kill to give UNI a 14-13 lead. Trista Humpal (New Hampton, Iowa) then posted a kill of her own to win the match.
The Panthers won most of the statistical battles with the Tigers, recording more kills (88-66), assists (78-57) and digs (89-81) while posting a better hitting percentage (.282-.170). Clemson had 13 blocks to UNI's 11.
The Panthers' win in five games today continued its trend of success in matches extended to the limit, as the Panthers are now 25-6 in five-gamers since the start of the 1998 season.
With the victory, UNI improves to 2-1 on the season, while Clemson falls to 1-1. UNI's next match is Wed., Aug. 30 when it travels to face Iowa State. First serve is 6:30 p.m. from Hilton Coliseum, and the match will be carried live on the radio on KWLO-AM 1330.
