To kick off a weekend dedicated to honoring a group of athletes for their hard work and dedication throughout some of the most successful seasons in UIU volleyball history, the six Peacock seniors were able to add one more accomplishment to the list. Fueled by a complete team effort, the 21st-ranked Peacock volleyball team defeated the No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for the first time in program history, 3-2.
Upper Iowa took the first two sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-18 before the NSIC-leading Bulldogs charged back with 25-18 and 25-23 set wins. It all came down to the fifth set, and the Peacocks outscored the visitors 15-8 to defend Dorman Gymnasium and make program history. Upper Iowa improved to 20-7 (12-7 NSIC) on the year, while Minnesota Duluth now holds a 23-4 (16-3 NSIC) record.
With the win, Upper Iowa jumped into a three-way tie with No. 16 Winona State University and (RV) Augustana University for sixth place in NSIC standings. At the conclusion of the eight matches tomorrow, the top-8 teams in the conference will advance to the NSIC Tournament beginning next week in Sioux Falls, S.D.
HOW IT HAPPENED…
- The teams battled out to a 6-6 draw before the home team went on a 9-2 run to take a 15-8 lead. Claire Milnes floored a trio of kills during the run and the Peacocks earned four additional points off the serve thanks to aces from Sarah Johnson and Charisma Herr as well as two service errors by the Bulldogs. Upper Iowa was able to steadily maintain the advantage the rest of the set to capture a 25-19 win.
- The second set was almost all Upper Iowa as the Peacocks captured a 9-7 lead and then scored 13 of the next 15 points to go up 22-9 on the visitors. UMD battled back with an 8-1 spurt but kills from Kaitlin Niedert and Maggie Streightiff halted the comeback with UIU ahead 25-18.
- Four straight points to open the third would give UIU yet another early lead it would maintain until a 9-1 run put the visitors ahead by four at 15-11. The teams traded points over the next several rallies before the Bulldogs preserved the sweep with a 5-1 run to take a set from the Peacocks, 25-18.
- UMD managed to force the deciding set thanks to a 6-1 run late in the fourth that flipped the tables from the Peacocks leading 18-16 to the Bulldogs being three points away from the set victory at 22-19. Upper Iowa was able to close the cap to just one by fighting off a pair of match points but the Bulldogs sneaked away with a slim 25-23 win.
- Upper Iowa could not have asked for a better start to the fifth set as the Peacocks got out to an 11-3 advantage fueled by a pair of 5-0 streaks. The UIU defense conjured up four blocks during that time with Sarah Johnson getting her hands on every single one. After UMD tried slowly clawing its way back into the match, Kaitlin Niedert slammed the door shut with the final three kills for Upper Iowa as the Peacocks secured the win with a 15-8 fifth set victory.
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME...
STATS OF THE GAME...
- The Peacocks restricted the Bulldogs to a .173 swinging clip much thanks to their season-high 13.0 total blocks. UMD has hit below .200 on just four occasions this season
- With the victory, Upper Iowa now has 20 overall wins this season, the second-highest win total in program history. The Peacocks also notched their 12th conference win to tie the program record for most NSIC wins in a season
- Upper Iowa improved to 5-7 this season against opponents either ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA Top-25 poll, while earning the first victory over a top-5 team in the process
- Prior to the match, Upper Iowa had only ever taken three sets away from Minnesota Duluth
QUOTABLES...
UP NEXT... Upper Iowa will close out the regular season against No. 9 St. Cloud State University on Saturday afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. The Peacock volleyball program will honor their six seniors prior to the match for their contributions over the years. Fans who attend the UIU football game earlier in the day will receive free admission by presenting their ticket at the Dorman Gymnasium entrance.
