The Peacocks closed out their run at the Ferris State Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich. with a pair of sweeps to improve to 3-1 on the season. Upper Iowa defeated Clarion University, 3-0, in a morning match and then took down Mercyhurst University, 3-0, in the afternoon.

Following the final match of the invitational Malissa LeClaire and Lauren Wombles were named to the all-tournament team. LeClaire recorded 124 assists (9.5/set), 48 digs, 9 service aces and 5 blocks. Wombles knocked down 30 kills (2.3/set) and added 5 digs.

After the weekend tourney, Head Coach Aaron Nelson said, " We knew opening with Ferris State would be a huge challenge right off the bat. We started a little slow and FSU played very well from start to finish putting a lot of pressure on us with their serving and quick offensive tempo. We did a great job bouncing back on Friday and Saturday and taking care of our side very well.  Everything started with our passing as we were able to spread the ball around much better and get our middles going to open things up for our pin hitters. We have some details to iron out as we move forward but overall we are pleased with the weekend."

In the morning match, Upper Iowa put down 41 kills led by Anna Winter's 11. The team hit .213 for the match while forcing Clarion into 25 attack errors and holding them to an .050 percentage. UIU took an early 10-3 lead and didn't look back on the way to a 25-15 win. A 9-3 run late in the second set fueled a 25-19 victory. In the final frame, UIU fell behind 8-3, but rallied with to outscore the Golden Eagles 19-4 to take a 22-12 lead en route to their 25-21 win.

In addition to Winter's 11 kills, Haley Poula and Bethany Lovhaug added 8 kills apiece and Wombles chipped in 7. LeClaire handed out 30 assists and got her hands on 8 digs. Gabby Holmes registered 17 digs, Madi Meier grabbed 12 and Haley Weepie recorded 10. Lovhaug denied 4 Clarion attacks at the net.

Against Mercyhurst, the Peacocks clicked on all cylinders posting a hitting percentage of .419 for the match thanks to 43 kills and only 7 attack errors. UIU hit .517 in the first set with 17 kills and .500 in the third set with 14 kills while combining for only 3 errors in those sets. Upper Iowa rolled to a 25-13 win in set one thanks to a 13-4 run to close out the frame. In the second set, the Peacocks had a comfortable lead of five points late, but Mercyhurst closed the gap with a 5-0 run to tie the score at 21-21. UIU regrouped and claimed the 25-23 win after a final kill from Wombles. Upper Iowa dominated the final set forcing 7 attack errors to win 25-11.

Weepie led the offense with 12 kills, while Winter added 9, Lovhaug 7 and Wombles 6. LeClaire set up the offense with 35 assists and put away 5 service aces. Holmes, Meier and Weepie led the defense with 11, 7 and 7 digs respectively. Lovhaug recorded 5 blocks above the tape.

For the weekend, Upper Iowa recorded 162 kills, 243 digs and 42 blocks. Winter led the team in kills with 36, but Weepie clipped her heels with 34 kills. On the backline, Holmes and Meier paced the defense with 50 and 43 digs, respectively. Lovhaug was a force at the net posting 18 blocks (1.4/set) for the Peacocks.

Upper Iowa will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. next Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 for the UIndy Invitational. The Peacocks will take on No. 24 Wheeling Jesuit University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.. UIU will then challenge the University of Indianapolis and Quincy University on Saturday at 1 and 7 p.m.