Panther volleyball triumphs over Redbirds

Friday, November 4

Normal, Ill.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

21-6,14-0MVC

Illinois State

11-14,4-10MVC

UNI

Illinois St.

Panther volleyball triumphs over Redbirds

11/4/2022 8:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Match 27 Stats at Illinois State

UNI earns double bye behind big outings from Kira Fallert, Tayler Alden

NORMAL, Ill. – November picked up right where October left off for the UNI Panther volleyball team in its 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-11, 25-18) Friday at the newly-rechristened CEFCU Arena against the Illinois State Redbirds which protected UNI's perfect record against Missouri Valley Conference opponents and secured a double bye into the 2022 MVC Volleyball Championship semifinals.

The Panthers (21-6 overall, 14-0 MVC) clinched a top-two finish in the league standings and tallied their 20^th victory in their last 21 contests. Within Friday's triumph, UNI posted a season-high .378 attack percentage versus Illinois State (11-14 overall, 4-10 MVC). The Panthers also led in digs (56 to 34) and aces (four to three). The Redbirds finished ahead in blocks (five to four).

Kira Fallert's fourth double-double of the year featured team highs of 14 kills and 12 digs. Tayler Alden registered 30 assists and went seven-of-nine on offense. Emily Holterhaus (12 terminations) and Payton Ahrenstorff (10 digs) were UNI's other double-digit performers. Twin sisters Sydney Petersen and Baylee Petersen combined for all of the Panther aces Friday with individual totals of three and one, respectively.

A dominant first set opened with seven Panther points in a row including a kill for Olivia Tjernagel. Later in the frame, UNI pushed its lead to 22-3 during a 12-0 burst that was highlighted by three Holterhaus kills and two Sydney Petersen service winners. Although the Redbirds answered with a late run and fought off five set points, Fallert produced a kill that ultimately wrapped up the 25-13 Panther win.

Illinois State forced the evening's first tie at 1-1 early in the second stanza. UNI quickly bounced back in front, and Alden had three kills in a stretch of nine consecutive winning rallies which turned a modest 5-4 advantage into a solid 14-4 margin. The Panthers kept their distance, and a final 4-0 spurt capped by back-to-back Inga Rotto terminations ended a 25-11 triumph.

UNI jumped out to a 4-0 edge within the third frame featuring a successful challenge from Bobbi Petersen to break a temporary 1-1 deadlock. Illinois State responded by staying close until finally pulling even at 13-13. From there, the Panthers surged ahead for good by scoring eight of the next 10 points. Baylee Petersen's match-point ace provided the finishing touch on the 25-18 victory and the 3-0 sweep.

Renaissance Coliseum will host UNI's last tilt of this road trip with first serve against the Bradley Braves slated for 5 p.m. Saturday. A Panther victory coupled with a Drake Bulldogs loss at Illinois State would guarantee at least a share of this year's Missouri Valley Conference regular season title to end the weekend. Saturday's coverage of UNI will be broadcast via UNIpanthers.com and ESPN3.