Box Score
Dorman Gym was the scene of a great volleyball match this evening. Upper Iowa welcomed the #4 Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth to Fayette and gave the nationally-ranked powerhouse everything they could handle. UMD escaped with a four set victory, but they had to rally from large deficits in the first and fourth sets to claim the win. The Bulldogs remained undefeated with the victory and moved to 20-0 overall and 11-0 in the NSIC, while UIU fell to 11-9 overall and 5-6 in the conference despite the tremendous effort.
Upper Iowa held a lead of 21-13 in the first set, but the #4 Bulldogs rallied for a 26-24 win. The Peacocks trailed by six early in the second set, but rallied back to close the gap losing a close 25-21 decision in the end. UIU played well in the third set after UMD scored the first four points; the home team scored the final three points to pick up a 25-23 win. In the fourth and final set, Upper Iowa came out on fire taking a 14-3 lead, but the lead would not last. The Bulldogs crept back into the set and scored seven of the set's final eight points to steal a 26-24 win and the match.
Neither team hit well for the match, but attack errors were not the issue. Both teams played excellent defense racking up digs and blocks. The Bulldogs recorded 82 digs and combined for 9 team blocks, while the Peacocks registered 49 digs and teamed up for 16 blocks.
UMD was led by Kate Lange, who had 18 kills and 19 digs, while Eleena Iisakka paced the offense with 50 assists. Three other Bulldogs hit double figures in kills, while Julie Rainey had a team-high 23 digs.
Upper Iowa got 11 kills from their senior right side hitter,
Sara Vance. The senior hit .269 on the night. She got help from
Nicky Brown, 7 kills, and
Kayla Wagner, 7 kills.
Skylar Lesan handed out 29 assists, while adding 5 digs and 5 assisted blocks. Vance and
Kristy Hinrichs led the defense with 14 and 12 digs, respectively. Wagner was a force at the net assisting on 11 blocks, while Vance assisted on 6 and
Maryn Fulton picked up 2 solo blocks and 3 assisted. Vance and
Amanda Weiss each knocked in three service aces on the night.
The Peacocks will return to Prochaska Court tomorrow afternoon to welcome in the Beavers of Bemidji State University. The match is set to begin at 5 p.m. following the UIU football game.
