Box Score
The 2011 Peacock volleyball team secured a spot at the top of the list of winningest seasons in program history with their three-set sweep of the Golden Eagles of Minnesota, Crookston and avenged a loss in Crookston two weekends ago. Upper Iowa's victory pushed their record to 15-14 overall and secured at least a .500 season for the first time in the program's history which began in 1973. The win marks the 8th victory in NSIC play, which also is a new high in the short six year history in the league.
Upper Iowa took control early in the match with a 25-18 win in the first set thanks to a solid .406 hitting percentage on 15 kills and just 2 attacking errors. The Peacocks continued to hit well in the second set and improved their percentage to .469 after posting 17 kills and only 2 errors. After the break, the two teams battled back and forth in the third set, but UIU edged out their guests with a 25-23 win to claim the match.
While the Peacocks spread their attack out, the Golden Eagles ran their offense through their All-NSIC outside hitter, Brittany Looker. Looker hit .517 on the night with 17 kills and just 2 errors finding holes in the Peacock defense, but Upper Iowa was albe to contain the other UMC attackers holding the remaining players to 26 kills while forcing 10 errors.
The Upper Iowa attack saw the trio of Peacock seniors take the lead.
Kristy Hinrichs lead the pack with 13 kills and a .522 hitting percentage, while
Nicky Brown and
Sara Vance each tallied 10 kills.
Maryn Fulton added 8 kills in the middle on just 9 attempts.
Skylar Lesan directed the attack with 37 assists and added 3 kills. Brown led the defense with 9 digs, while Hinrichs and
Kayla Wagner each blocked 3 balls.
With her 10 kills tonight, Vance has 360 this year and is 17
kills short of tying the all-time UIU record for kills/season set in 2006 by Darcy Hageman (377).
Upper Iowa will look to push their record over .500 tomorrow and tie the program's record for wins in a season. The team went 16-18 in 2009. The Peacocks will host the Dragons of MSU Moorhead at 5 p.m. and the three Peacock seniors will be recognized prior to the match.
