University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Loyola
Panthers Ace Ramblers, 3-0
9/19/2014 1:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa volleyball squad tied a season-high with seven service aces en route to a 3-0 sweep of the Loyola Ramblers at the McLeod Center on Friday. It was the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both schools.
The Panthers (6-5 overall, 1-0 MVC) won by set scores of 25-18, 25-15, 25-23. Loyola dropped to 4-6 overall and 0-1 in league play.
Loyola grabbed an early lead with a 7-3 advantage to start the match. The Ramblers upped the score to 12-7 before UNI mounted a rally. The Panthers used an 8-2 run to take a 15-14 lead. The Panthers held a slim 19-18 lead but then proceeded to score the final six points of the set for the win, 25-18. UNI hit .367 in the opening set with 15 kills and four errors on 30 attacks.
The squads were knotted at 3-3 in the second set before the Panthers wrestled away control. UNI took an 11-4 lead and never looked back. UNI pushed the lead to 20-11 and eventually scored a 25-15 victory.
UNI looked to cruise to a third-set win with an early 7-4 lead. The Panthers were still in control at 13-10 before the Ramblers put together an 8-2 run to take an 18-15 lead. UNI head coach Bobbi Petersen called a timeout and the Panthers responded with three quick points to knot the set at 18-18. Loyola's Sami Hansen posted a service ace to give the Ramblers a 23-22 lead. But the Panthers would not be denied and scored the final three points of the set for the victory, including a match-point ace from Amie Held.
UNI will be back in action Saturday night against the Bradley Braves. The match is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
NOTES: Kinsey Caldwell tied a career-high with four service aces ... she entered the match with six service aces on the season ... Kayla Haneline belted a team-high 10 kills ... Amie Held posted a team-high 17 digs.
