Box Score
Box Score
After winning the first two sets of tonight's NSIC volleyball match at Minot State University, the Peacocks had to hold off a rally by the home team to claimi their first conference win of the season and seventh overall thanks to a 15-11 decision in the fifth set. Upper Iowa controlled the first set, 25-18, before edging out the Beavers in set two, 26-24. Following the break, Minot State took control and gained momentum with a thrid set win, 25-21, to dominate the Peacocks in the fourth set, 25-17. UIU found their stride when it counted most in the fifth set putting together the four-point win. With the victory, Upper Iowa improves to 7-5 overall and 1-3 in the NSIC, while Minot State falls to 3-10 overall and 0-4 in the conference.
The fifth and deciding set was a back and forth battle as the teams raced to past the midway point. Ties were common place and occured five times in the set. Finally the score was tied 9-9 when the Beavers made a service error. The Peacocks took advantage and jumped out to a 12-9 lead behind the serving of Brown. After a Minot State sideout, Upper Iowa led 12-10, but back to back kills by Mundt and Behnke gave the visitors set and match point, 14-10. One final point by Minot State went on the board before Fulton finished the action with a kill and the 15-11 victory.
The Peacocks, who were without senior setter
Skylar Lesan, hit .257 for the match led by
Maryn Fulton, .438,
Hailey Brown, .429, and
Kayla Wagner, .360. While the previous trio of Peacocks were converting at a high rate, the duo of
Melanie Behnke and
Jennifer Mundt were racking up the kills. Behnke downed 20 kills, while Mundt tallied 19 off the bench. UIU's middles, Wagner and Fulton, each were aggressive at the net coming away with 9 and 8 kills, respectively. Brown added 7 kills, but more importantly took over as the team's primary setter and registered 58 assists on the night to pace the Peacock attack.
Defensively, Upper Iowa rallied around each other led by
Amanda Weiss' 26 dig effort and Behnke's 20 digs.
Danielle Gernes added 12 digs as well, while Wagner came up big at the net with 7 blocks.
Upper Iowa will head a few hours east for tomorrow's match at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. The Peacocks and Marauders will put the ball in the air at 6 p.m. tomorrow evening.
