Panthers trailed two games to one before winning in five, taking last game, 15-11, against Sycamores.
Carly Spies notched 11 blocks which represented the best total in a match since Shelby Kintzel's 11 rejections November 22, 2013 versus Bradley.
Tayler Alden posted 28 assists, a career-high 11 kills and 10 digs for the Panthers in the loss
Emily Holterhaus led UNI (6-8 overall, 1-0 MVC) with 13 kills. Tayler Alden and Kira Fallert each added 10.
A tentative UNI squad wilted under a relentless attack by Iowa State in a three-game loss. The Cyclones took the match 25-20, 25-9, 25-22.
Photos from University of Northern Iowa volleyball's home opener against Iowa State University on Wednesday at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. The Panthers fell in three sets against the Cyclones.
After the two teams split the opening games, each winning 25-17, Loyola rallied from a 23-21 deficit in Set 3 to win and then trailed 23-20 in set four only to score the final five points of the match to 25-17, 17-25, 26-24, 25-23.
Baylee Petersen's 21 digs led a Panther defense that held Drake to .113 hitting. UNI finished with a 10-4 blocking advantage.
Holterhaus averaged 3.13 kills and 2.96 digs per set during the spring season and finished her breakthrough sophomore campaign with 40 blocks.
Emily Holterhaus led the way with 12 kills and 19 digs. Carly Spies and Megan Witte each added 11 kills, while Inga Rotto knocked home 10 and led the team with six block assists.
After the Braves (12-5) took the first two sets, 25-22, 25-19, the Panthers captured the next two, 25-21, 25-19, before Bradley secured the victory with a 16-14 win in the fifth game.
Loyola of Chicago took the opening set and the final two as the Ramblers beat the Panthers 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-17 in a Missouri Valley Conference volleyball match at the McLeod Center.
This marked the sixth five-set match this season for a UNI team that improved to 7-10 overall and 7-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Loyola fell to 6-7 against MVC opponents.
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Valparaiso worked extra points in set three to secure a win over the Panthers, 25-15, 25-18, 27-25.
Valpo took the match 26-24, 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 15-13.
CEDAR FALLS – DePaul won the final two games to pull out a four-set victory over Northern Iowa in a non-conference volleyball match Sunday at the McLeod Center 32-30, 24-26, 25-20, 25-19.
Emily Holterhaus tallied 17 kills and a .318 hitting percentage to lead the Panthers.
Sunday night’s Missouri Valley Conference volleyball matchup between the University of Northern Iowa and Indiana State at the McLeod Center was a tale of two matches.
UNI (5-6 overall, 5-3 MVC) had to rally to win game three, 29-27, before finishing off the comeback with 25-23, 15-13 wins in the final two games.
UNI volleyball came out sharp in the first set and finished strong in the final two frames of an MVC sweep.
The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team scored some redemption after Sunday’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Missouri State.
Bobbi Petersen continues to place more value on relationships than numbers after moving to the top of the MVC wins chart with 511 career victories.
EVANSVILLE – When a team wins two in a row that is called a streak.
UNI volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen secured her 510th career victory Sunday afternoon, surpassing former Missouri State coach Melissa Stokes for the MVC's career wins lead.
In terms of 80 minutes of play during a split with Southern Illinois, UNI coach Ben Jacobson said the Panthers showed much more consistency.