UNI Reigns in Valpo's MVC Debut

Friday, September 22

Valparaiso, Indiana

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

11-4 (1-0)

Valparaiso

7-6 (0-1)

UNI

Valparaiso

UNI Reigns in Valpo's MVC Debut

9/22/2017 9:15:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

VALPARAISO, Indiana - The No. 22-ranked University of Northern Iowa volleyball team notched a 3-1 victory over the Valparaiso Crusaders in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both squads.

UNI won by set scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-16. The match was Valpo's first conference match in the MVC after joining the league this summer.

"It was a great defensive battle to start conference play," UNI assistant coach Kalani Mahi said.

UNI (11-4 overall, 1-0 MVC) came within three digs of the school record for digs in a match with 104. It is the second time this season that UNI has secured more than 100 digs in a single match. UNI posted a season-best 37 digs in the first set vs. Valpo (7-6 overall, 0-1 MVC).

Junior Piper Thomas secured a career-high 23 kills with a .373 hitting percentage. Her previous career-high of 20 came earlier this season in a 3-1 win over No. 18 USC.

Sophomore Karlie Taylor tallied her ninth double-double of the season with 21 kills and 18 digs. It was Taylor's fifth match this season with 20 or more kills. Taylor has recorded 12 or more kills in eight straight matches.

Senior Heather Hook delivered her seventh double-double this season (31st of her career) with 57 assists and 17 digs.

Junior Bri Weber collected her 41st career double-double with 11 kills and 18 digs.

UNI will travel to Chicago to take on the Loyola Ramblers on Saturday at 7 p.m.

NOTES: UNI is 11-1 when winning the first set ... UNI moved to 6-1 in four-set matches this season ... Lexi Astor registered her first career ace on the final point of the match ... Kendyl Sorge scored her seventh 20-plus dig match of the season with 24 digs against the Crusaders.

UNI Record - Digs (4-Set Match)
1.   107 vs. South Dakota (9/8/17)
107 at Creighton (10/27/00)
3. 104 at Valparaiso (9/22/17)
4.   101 vs. Arkansas State (12/4/93)
5.   100 vs. Illinois State (10/18/13)