The Peacocks did what no other team besides the #1 Spartans of the University of Tampa have done this season.  Upper Iowa took a set from the #2 Bulldogs of the University of Minnesota Duluth.  On Homecoming Saturday in Fayette, the Peacocks hit a whopping .552 in the second set and recorded 4 team blocks in the frame to post a 25-18 win and tie the match at 1-1.  The home team had their shots in the third set as well reaching 20 points first, but UMD closed out the set with a 6-0 run.  The Bulldogs took control of the fourth set to improve to 15-1 overall and 8-0 in the NSIC, while UIU is now 8-8 overall and 3-5 in the conference.

The home team struggled at the outset of the match falling behind quickly, 7-1.  Upper Iowa began to find their stride midway through the set, but the Bulldogs would not be caught in the frame winning 25-15.  

UIU gained some momentum in the second set thanks to a 6-3 opening run.  The teams matched each other point for point and were tied at 17-17 just after the midway point.  The home team broke away thanks to a 5-0 run highlighted by an Alisha VanderWoude block and a Tyann Caspers kill to lead 22-17.  A pair of kills from Jennifer Mundt  ended the set for a 25-18 UIU win and snapped the Bulldogs streak of 25 straight set victories.  UIU recorded 18 kills and only 2 errors to hit .552; five Peacocks had at least five kills in the set.

The two teams battled back and forth in the third set as neither team took more than a two-point lead until late.  UIU was the first team to 20 leading by one, but UMD went on a 6-0 run to close out the set and move ahead 2-1.  

The Bulldogs came out strong in the fourth set and delivered the victory with a 25-16 win.

"I'm very proud of the way we played today," said Head Coach Aaron Nelson.  "We stood toe to toe with one of the best teams in the country and never backed down.That second set was one of the best sets of volleyball we have played in my four seasons here.  If we are able to close out that third set after getting to 20 first, then things might have turned out differently.  We took a big step today in the direction we are working so hard to go."

Mundt completed a great weekend with 18 more kills versus the Bulldogs for 45 on the weekend.  She hit .350 on the day and .402 for the weekend with only 8 errors.  Amanda Weiss had 13 digs, while Hailey Brown and Jenna Hermsen paced the attack with 23 and 19 assists, respectively.  Alisha VanderWoude registered 5 blocks at the net and had 11 over the weekend.

The Peacocks will travel to Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota Crookston next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10-11.