University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
1-1
Saint Louis
0-2
UNI Rallies for Five-Set Win at Saint Louis
8/29/2014 1:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Northern Iowa women's volleyball team evened its season mark at 1-1 with a five-set victory over tournament host Saint Louis University on Friday evening at the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic.
UNI trailed two sets to one before rallying for the five-set triumph. The Panthers won the match 24-26, 25-19, 18-25, 25-18, 15-8.
UNI jumped out to an early 9-3 lead over SLU in set one. But the Billikens battled back and knotted the first set at 12-12. SLU built a 22-20 lead before UNI ran off three consecutive points to retake the lead at 23-22. But the Billikens were resilient and scored four of the next five points to take the initial set, 26-24.
The Panthers evened the match at a set apiece with a six-point victory in the second set. UNI led by four early in the set and pushed the margin to six at 18-12. SLU trimmed the lead to three at 20-17, but UNI was able to run off five of the next seven points to claim the set, 25-19.
SLU (0-2 overall) gained the momentum in set three by taking the first point and never trailing en route to a 25-18 win. The Billikens pushed the margin to six at 16-10, before UNI rallied and make it a two-point game at 19-17. However, the Billikens ran off four consecutive points to stretch the lead back to six before closing out the set at 25-18.
UNI forced a fifth and deciding set with a decisive 25-18 win in the fourth set. The Panthers gained control early in the set with a 9-3 lead. UNI pushed the margin to 17-9 before SLU cut the lead to 20-17. The Panthers held the Billikens at bay and UNI eventually secured the 25-18 set victory.
The Panthers started the final set in dominating fashion by taking an 8-0 lead. SLU would close to within five points on two occasions, but the Panther lead was insurmountable. UNI notched the 15-8 win in set five for the match victory.
UNI will close out its play in the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic on Saturday at 5 p.m. against Southeast Missouri State.
NOTES: Leigh Pudwill notched a career-high 19 kills ... Kayla Haneline also tallied a career-high 16 kills ... Eryca Hingtgen posted a career-best 16 digs ... Kinsey Caldwell just missed a triple-double with 42 assists, nine kills and seven digs ... it marks the second straight season UNI has defeated SLU in five sets in St. Louis, which was also the last time UNI won a five-set match on the road (Sept. 13, 2013) ... UNI tied an arena record with blocks (15.0) and block assists (26.0).
