Oct. 13, 2007
Box Score
Upper Iowa stepped onto the volleyball court on Friday for a rare weekday matinee match. The Peacocks got a boost with the return of Darcy Hageman to the lineup. Normally a middle hitter, the Peacock senior leader played as the libero for the home team. Upper Iowa was swept in three games, but everyone in the gym could see that this was the best the team has looked since their last victory.
The Peacocks lost game one to the Dragons of MSU Moorhead 32-30. The home team had great energy and communication and they played as well as the Dragons down to the final point. Upper Iowa hit .241 in game one with 21 kills and 8 errors, while MSU Moorhead hit .240 with 20 kills and 8 errors.
Game two appeared to be a case of Upper Iowa not bouncing back quickly enough from the disappointment of game one. The Dragons overwhelmed the Peacocks and won game two 30-12. The visitors hit an impressive .500 with 17 and only 2 errors, while the home squad hit .000 with 9 kills and 9 errors.
After the break, Coach Dave Jackson had the team refocused and the Peacocks were back on their game. UIU still could not find enough fire power and lost a close game three, 30-25. Both teams hit poorly, but the Dragons were able to come up with a few more hustle plays to earn the victory.
Beth Deutmeyer led the Peacocks with 14 kills and 3 blocks, while Shea Meyermann drove home 10 kills and picked up 8 digs. Keely Jones was very effective for Upper Iowa knocking 8 kills to the ground and tallying 4 blocks. Darcy Hageman led the defense with 10 digs, while Keri Vance set the offense up with 32 assists.
After the match Coach Jackson said, "We played very well at times tonight. That team is the third place team in the NSIC and we are every bit as good as them when we play our game. The game one loss hurt; we should have found a way to pull that one out, but we are still learning how to win the close games. Darcy's return gave us a lift and the team played together tonight."
The Peacocks return to the floor on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 5:00 p.m. for a match up with the #4 Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul.
