University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Wichita State
UNI Volleyball Clinches MVC Title With 3-2 Win at Wichita State
11/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 14, 2009
WICHITA, Kan. – The No. 22 University of Northern Iowa volleyball team clinched the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship with a 3-2 win at Wichita State Saturday night. The Panthers won the match by scores of 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 20-25 and 15-9 to win their 24th straight match.
Shannon Aschoff each finished with 11. Payton finished with her fifth triple-double of the season, tallying 36 assists and 16 digs. Ellie Blankenship led the Panthers with 20 digs, and Michelle Burow finished with five blocks.
The Panthers (26-2, 16-0) broke a 7-7 tie in the first set with five straight points to take a 12-7 lead. WSU (21-5, 12-4) pulled within 13-10, but the Panthers responded with another five-point run to stretch their lead to 18-10. Leading 21-15, UNI scored four straight points to claim the set, 25-15.
The Shockers built an early 6-1 lead in the second set. UNI was able to chip away at the WSU lead, and the Panthers pulled within a point, 14-13. WSU scored the next four points, however, taking an 18-13 lead. UNI was unable to come back, dropping the set, 25-19.
UNI took a quick 6-2 lead in the third set. The Shockers cut the Panther advantage to a point, 8-7, but UNI went on a 6-1 run to take a 14-8 lead. The Shockers were able to pull within two points, 20-18, but UNI outscored WSU 5-1 the rest of the way to take the set, 25-19.
In the fourth set, the Shockers broke a 7-7 tie with three straight points to take a 10-7 lead. They held a lead until the Panthers scored three straight to tie the set, 12-12. WSU went back in front, 17-14, but the Panthers were able to tie the match at 17-17. The Shockers scored the next four points, and UNI was unable to come back, dropping the set, 25-20.
UNI held a slight edge in hitting percentage, hitting .167 to WSU's .121. UNI collected 52 digs, compared to 50 for the Shockers. WSU outblocked UNI, 12.0 to 10.0.
The Panthers return to action on Friday when they host Creighton.
