Panther Volleyball Advances to MVC Semifinal

Thursday, April 1

Normal, Illinois

5 pm

University of Northern Iowa

9-12,9-8MVC

Drake University

13-7,11-6MVC

UNI

Drake

Panther Volleyball Advances to MVC Semifinal

4/1/2021 6:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

NORMAL, Illinois – The UNI volleyball team defeated the #2 seed Drake Bulldogs 3-0 in Thursday's MVC Quarterfinal match. The Panthers won with set scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-20.

1^st Set: The instate rivals had a seesaw start before the Bulldogs went on a 3-0 run to lead 9-6. The Panthers responded with a 5-0 run with help from 3 consecutive attack errors by the Bulldogs. The teams traded leads before UNI moved ahead 22-18. UNI won the set 25-19 after 10 ties and 4 lead changes. UNI hit .100 with 15 kills and 10 attach errors.

2^nd Set: UNI moved out to an early lead and held it until the Bulldogs tied the set at 10-10. UNI maintained the lead and went on a 5-0 run to lead 20-14. The Panthers ran away late in the set and won 25-21. UNI recorded 13 kills, 4 blocks and 5 aces in the set.

3^rd Set: Another back and forth opening in the third set before the Bulldogs went on a 4-0 run to lead 9-7. The Panthers tied the set at 14-14 and would take off to win the set 25-20 after a 3-0 final run. Payton Ahrenstorff capped off the set with a service ace, her second of the game and of the season. The Panthers recorded 18 kills with 2 blocks and 1 ace.

THE PANTHERS
-Have made 36 consecutive MVC Tournament semifinals
-Lowest seed to ever make a semifinal
-UNI hit .179 with 46 kills on 140 attempts
-Emily Holterhaus recorded her 11^th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs.
-Freshman setter Tayler Alden recorded a team high .364 hitting percentage with 6 kills to go along with her 35 assists.

THE BULLDOGS
-MVC Player of the Year Haley Bush was held to 7 kills and a .129 hitting percentage.
-Emily Plock led the Bulldogs with 14 kills and a .312 hitting percentage.
-Caitlyn Smith recorded 27 assists and 13 digs

UP NEXT

The Panthers now advance to the semifinals where they will take on either Loyola or Missouri State. The semifinal will begin at 5pm and can be viewed on ESPN+.