University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
14-5,8-0MVC
UIC
8-12,4-4MVC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UIC | 21 | 18 | 17 | 0 |
| UNI | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
10/17/2026 7:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI volleyball posted another dominant performance inside the McLeod Center, sweeping the UIC Flames in straight sets to earn their tenth-straight victory.
The Panthers' offense posted a stellar .304 hitting percentage with 44 total kills and 9 blocks to overwhelm the Flames defense.
The victory marks UNI's 60th-straight regular-season conference victory; Now the second-longest streak in team history (59 was the previous streak from 2009-12).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set one was highly contested early, with both teams trading one point leads. UNI would pull away with a 3-0 run after a service error and two attack errors from the Flames to earn a 12-9 lead. UNI obtained their largest lead in the stanza at 19-13, with Lily Dykstra earning two kills along the way. Calia Clubb slammed the door on the Flames comeback hopes with a kill to give UNI the 25-21 set victory. Dykstra led the Panther charge with five kills in the set, while Reese Booth totaled 11 assists.
The Panthers came out firing in set two with an 8-3 run. After the Flames cut the lead to 14-13, Hartman rattled off a kill, followed by two errors from UIC gave UNI a 17-13 lead approaching the back end of the set. At set point, Hartman earned the final kill to award UNI the stanza by a margin of 25-18. Dykstra once again led the team in kills for set two with six. Hartman followed with five kills.
UNI began set three on a 5-1 run, as Reese Booth recorded a service ace followed by kills from Dykstra and Clubb. The Panthers solidified their lead halfway through the set with Hartman earning four terminations down the stretch along with three from Grace Hannam to make it 17-8. Dykstra would put away the Flames with a termination to give UNI the set 25-17 and complete the sweep.
Dykstra had a match-high 15 kills with a .364 hitting percentage to lead UNI's offense. Hartman posted nine kills and eight digs while Bixby had eight kills to round out the Panthers attack. Dykstra also led the team in digs (9) and blocks (4).
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- With the victory, UNI leads 20-3 all-time vs. UIC is now 11-1 under Bobbi Petersen. The Panthers have also won the last ten against the Flames.
- Northern Iowa extended its regular season conference winning streak (60) and overall conference winning streak (68), both the longest active streaks in Division I. The Panthers are now one MVC wins shy of tying their own program and conference record for consecutive overall wins against league opponents.
- The Panthers have posted seven or more blocks in 17 of 19 matches this season and at least two blocks in every contest this year.
- Head coach Bobbi Petersen is now five wins shy of her 400th career win in MVC regular season play.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action next Friday, Oct. 23 as they host the Evansville Purple Aces in MVC action. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT inside the McLeod Center with live coverage available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network (Varsity Network app only for this match).
Tickets can be purchased through the UNI Ticket Office or by calling 319-273-4849. Fans in attendance will be treated to a sherpa bucket hat giveaway while supplies last, as well as $5 kids tickets, $2 hot dogs and $2 nachos.
UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
