This Week in Peacock Volleyball...

The Peacocks closed out the month of September on a high note last Friday when UIU defeated Winona State to collect their first win of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season and gain momentum heading into October.

Upper Iowa opens the month of October this weekend by hosting a pair of NSIC matches inside Dorman Gym.  On Friday, the Wolves of Northern State visit Fayette for a 7 p.m. showdown.

Then on Saturday afternoon, the Marauders of the University of Mary make the long trip from Bismarck, ND to battle the Peacocks.  Both opponents are winless in league play and combine for a 12-16 record overall.

The Peacocks hit the road on Tuesday before returning home once again next weekend when #6-ranked Concordia and St. Cloud State visit the friendly confines of Dorman Gym.

Scouting the Wolves

Northern State visits Fayette on Friday carrying a 8-6 overall record and a 0-5 NSIC mark and have lost five of their last six matches.  The Wolves last win came on September 21 in a non-conference match with Jamestown.

NSU ranks 8th in the NSIC in hitting percentage with a .191 average per set.

Scouting the Marauders

U-Mary travels to Winona, Minnesota on Friday with a 4-10 overall record which includes an 0-5 mark in NSIC matches and are losers of 8 of their last 9 matches after winning Tuesday night’s non-conference tilt over Minot State.

The Marauders rank near the bottom in many of the NSIC statistical categories including hitting percentage (12th), assists (12th), kills (12th), and blocks (13th).

Series History

Since Upper Iowa transitioned to NCAA Division II, the Peacocks are 2-8 against Northern State and 4-4 versus the University of Mary.

However, under Coach Robertson, UIU is 2-2 against Northern State and holds a 3-1 advantage against U-Mary.

The Last Meeting

The Peacocks met this weekend’s opponents twice last season and won all four contests.

The Peacocks and Wolves met last on November 7, 2009 in Fayette.  UIU took set one 25-11 before losing the next two sets.  Upper Iowa rallied in set four and won the match with a 15-13 set five victory.

UIU and U-Mary met last on November 6, 2009 with the Peacocks taking the match 3-0.

Aces Wild

The Peacocks rank third in the NSIC in service aces with 1.62 per set.  Upper Iowa ranks only behind Minnesota State and Wayne State in this category.

Junior Sara Vance is ranked fifth in the NSIC in service aces with nearly a half aces per set (.44).