University of Northern Iowa Athletics

UNI Volleyball Takes Valparaiso in Five
10/26/2018 11:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI panther volleyball team got back to Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play Friday night in the McLeod Center, defeating the Crusaders of Valparaiso 3-2.
The Panthers had to adjust to playing without standout outside hitter Karlie Taylor in the lineup and it showed in the opening set. The Panthers started the match slow, dropping the opener 25-18 while recording an attack percentage of just .079. The team made the necessary adjustments and did not look back, dominating the second and third sets 25-16 and 15-12.
Valparaiso managed to get back in the match in the fourth set, recording only 4 errors and took the set 25-20 to force the deciding fifth set. After trading the first two points, the Panthers scored six in row to go up 8-2 at the court swap. Panthers went on to win the fifth and took the match to move to 11-0 in the MVC.
The Panthers were led in scoring by senior Piper Thomas who recorded 20 kills on 37 attacks and only five errors on the night for a .405 attack percentage. Thomas also added four blocks, two digs and two assists on the night.
Kate Busswitz had a great night offensively, recording 13 kills on 27 total attacks for a .370 attack percentage. The sophomore middle hitter also recorded two digs, two blocks, two service aces and an assists.
Rachel Koop hit a special milestone as a Panther setter, reaching her 1,000th career assists. Koop continued her consistent play this season with 53 assists and 16 digs. Baylee Petersen had an impressive night with nine kills and 21 digs. The 5'7 outside hitter recorded four total blocks in pivotal moments for the Panthers and totaled double digit points for the first time this season.
Up Next
The volleyball team will only get a few hours off before getting back to MVC action. The Ramblers of Loyola make their way to Cedar Falls for a 7 pm match in the McLeod Center on Saturday, October 27. The Panthers defeated the Ramblers 3-0 back on September 28
The Panthers had to adjust to playing without standout outside hitter Karlie Taylor in the lineup and it showed in the opening set. The Panthers started the match slow, dropping the opener 25-18 while recording an attack percentage of just .079. The team made the necessary adjustments and did not look back, dominating the second and third sets 25-16 and 15-12.
Valparaiso managed to get back in the match in the fourth set, recording only 4 errors and took the set 25-20 to force the deciding fifth set. After trading the first two points, the Panthers scored six in row to go up 8-2 at the court swap. Panthers went on to win the fifth and took the match to move to 11-0 in the MVC.
The Panthers were led in scoring by senior Piper Thomas who recorded 20 kills on 37 attacks and only five errors on the night for a .405 attack percentage. Thomas also added four blocks, two digs and two assists on the night.
Kate Busswitz had a great night offensively, recording 13 kills on 27 total attacks for a .370 attack percentage. The sophomore middle hitter also recorded two digs, two blocks, two service aces and an assists.
Rachel Koop hit a special milestone as a Panther setter, reaching her 1,000th career assists. Koop continued her consistent play this season with 53 assists and 16 digs. Baylee Petersen had an impressive night with nine kills and 21 digs. The 5'7 outside hitter recorded four total blocks in pivotal moments for the Panthers and totaled double digit points for the first time this season.
Up Next
The volleyball team will only get a few hours off before getting back to MVC action. The Ramblers of Loyola make their way to Cedar Falls for a 7 pm match in the McLeod Center on Saturday, October 27. The Panthers defeated the Ramblers 3-0 back on September 28
Team Stats
VALPO
UNI
Kills
56
67
Errors
26
21
Attempts
184
169
Hitting %
.163
.272
Points
63.0
80.0
Assists
53
65
Aces
2
3
Blocks
5.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Bobbi Petersen Press Conference - Nov. 10, 2025.
Tuesday, November 11
PST: Lindsay Oldendorf (2025)
Friday, November 07
Bobbi Petersen Postgame vs.UIC, Nov. 7, 2025
Friday, November 07
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 12)
Wednesday, November 05













