Upper Iowa continued their run through the gauntlet of the Northern Sun Conference on Tuesday night against #6 Winona State University.  The Peacocks have lost five straight matches, but their opponents have included four AVCA Top-Ten programs. The Warriors swept the Peacocks in Winona, Minn. by scores of 25-18, 25-12 and 25-14 to improve to 18-3 overall and 9-3 in the conference.  UIU falls to 9-12 overall and 3-9 in the NSIC.
 
Winona State controlled the match while hitting .351 as a team with 50 kills on 48 assists.  While the Warrior offense was efficient, the defense was able to keep the ball off the ground on their side of the net thanks to 49 digs.  UIU notched 11 kills in the first set, but then only knocked in 11 kills in the second and third sets combined. For the match, UIU hit .099 after finishing the first frame with a .194 percentage.
 
The Peacocks stayed with the Warriors point for point during the first half of the first and second sets, but the home team separated from their guests to head into the break with a 2-0 lead.  In the third and final set, WSU jumped out to an early lead and never let go to earn the sweep.
 
Winona State got 32 kills from its big three; Danielle Rampart (12), Taylor Goar (10) and Lauren Kudronowicz (10).  McKenna Larsen set up the offense with 30 assists, while Meghan Seymour added 15. Rampart and Jamie Caincross led the backline defense with 12 and 11 digs, respectively, while Kudronowicz added 3 blocks.
 
Upper Iowa was led by Lauren Wombles; the sophomore middle posted 7 kills and a .600 hitting percentage in her 10 opportunities. Malissa LeClaire and Carlee Ketchum had 9 and 8 assists, while Ashley Larson got her hands on 12 digs and Bethany Lovhaug denied 3 shots at the net.

Upper Iowa will remain on the road this weekend with a pair of NSIC matches.  The Peacocks will line up against the Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead on Friday at 7 p.m. and then take the floor against the #13 Wolves of Northern State University on Saturday at 6 p.m.