University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Illinois State
Volleyball Tops Illinois State, 3-1
9/23/2011 1:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
NORMAL, Ill. - The No. 14 University of Northern Iowa volleyball team topped Illinois State 3-1 to improve to 13-1 on the season and 3-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play Friday night in Normal. The Panthers won by scores of 25-21, 25-27, 25-21 and 25-18.
Michelle Burow led UNI with 14 kills, and Megan Lehman finished with 13. Bre Payton finished with 51 assists, and Krista DeGeest finished with five blocks. Candice Burke led UNI with 26 digs.
The Panthers led 19-17 in set one, and then scored five straight points to bring up set point, 24-17. The Redbirds (8-7, 0-3 MVC) held off the Panthers for four points, but Amy Braun put down a kill to give the Panthers a 25-21 win.
The teams traded leads eight times and were in 17 ties in set two, including at 25-25. Illinois State scored back-to-back points to take the set, 27-25.
UNI trailed set three 14-13, and then a kill from Lehman tied the set. Jenny Willms recorded a service ace, and Shelby Kintzel and DeGeest came up with a block to give the Panthers a 16-14 lead. Kintzel, DeGeest and Braun notched kills to cap a 6-0 run and put the Panthers in front 19-14. The Panthers maintained at least a two-point edge the rest of the way to claim a 25-21 win in the set.
Set four was tied 16-16, but the Panthers outscored the Redbirds 9-2 to take a 25-18 win in the set and a 3-1 win in the match.
UNI hit .199 in the match, while the Redbirds hit .164. UNI recorded 10.0 blocks, compared to 14.0 for ISU.
UNI returns to action on Saturday when it plays at Indiana State.
