The Northern Sun Conference handed out their weekly volleyball awards and junior libero Gabby Holmes is the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 5.71 digs/set as Upper Iowa went 4-0 at the UIndy Invitational including a win over No. 12 Wheeling Jesuit University. The award is Upper Iowa's first of the year.

Gabby Holmes anchored the back line with 80 digs (5.71/set) and paced Upper Iowa's defense, which was clicking over the weekend as the team averaged 19.43 digs/set.  Holmes tallied 16 digs against Wheeling Jesuit and added 18 more after lining up with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Holmes stepped up on Saturday with 21 digs against the University of Indianapolis and 25 in the final match with Quincy. Holmes is averaging 4.81 digs/set for the season.

Upper Iowa is coming off a perfect 4-0 weekend at the UIndy Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. After UIU defeated No. 12 WJU, the team then took down the UW-Parkside and the UIndy in a pair of 3-0 sweeps. UIU defeated Quincy 3-1 in the final match to complete the two-day sweep. 

Holmes and the Peacocks will host their home opener this Thursday, Sept. 6. Upper Iowa will welcome the defending NCAA DII Champion and No. 2 Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul at 6 p.m. The UIU Volleyball team is asking fans to WHITE OUT Dorman Gym for the big match.