The Peacock volleyball team claimed a 3-0 sweep of the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday afternoon in Fayette. The win improved Upper Iowa's record to 16-8 overall and 9-7 in the Northern Sun. UIU is now tied with Minnesota State University, Mankato for seventh place in the standings. The 16 wins this season also push this season's squad into a three-way tie for most wins in a season in program history.

Upper Iowa dominated play with a balanced and efficient scoring attack on Saturday. The Peacocks outscored the Golden Eagles 25-15, 25-13 and 25-8 in the three sets and hit .453 as a team in the match. UIU knocked down 46 kills with only 7 errors in 86 swings. Defensively, the home team was able to slow the UMC offense and hold them to 18 kills, 15 errors and a .038 hitting percentage.

Anna Winter led the Peacocks with 14 kills and 0 errors on 26 swings to hit .538 on the day, while Bethany Lovhaug and Haley Poula each had 7 kills and hit over .400. Lauren Wombles made the most of her 7 swings recording 6 kills and Kaitlin Niedert added 5 kills. Malissa LeClaire served up 34 assists  and added 8 digs, 2 aces, 2 blocks and 2 kills.

Defensively, Haley Weepie (10) and LeClaire (8) combined for 18 digs and Gabby Holmes chipped in 6. Wombles and LeClaire teamed up for a pair of blocks to lead the wall at the net.

Head Coach Aaron Nelson was able to run the entire bench into the game and Krisha Tonne (3 kills), Erica Armstrong (2 kills) and Carlee Ketchum 3 assists) were able to impact the final set.

UIU has four matches left to claim a spot in the Northern Sun Conference Tournament, which features the top eight teams in the conference standings. The Peacocks head to Augustana University and Wayne State College next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27 for their final road matches of the regular season before returning home to face Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of Sioux Falls on Nov. 2-3.