The Peacock volleyball outlasted No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State University in a five-set match in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday night. The win marked UIU's third-straight victory and first in program history over the Mustangs; SMSU had won the previous 20 meetings. The home team lost the first and third sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-13, but used wins in the second, fourth and fifth sets by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 15-13 to secure the victory.

Maggie Streightiff's left hand was electric for the Peacocks all evening. The right-side hitter recorded 22 kills in the match and hit .486 with just 5 errors in 35 swings. UIU's middles also played well on offense with Zoe Semelroth (12), Kylie Willis (6) and Sarah Johnson (1) combining for 19 kills with only 6 attack errors. Nicole Pozorski handed out 33 assists and Jaima Tonne added 17; Pozorski added three service aces. Madelyn Rettler picked up 17 digs and added 7 kills, while Charisma Herr registered 15 digs and 2 aces.

SMSU used an 8-2 run in the first set to break a 10-10 tie and take control. UIU still trailed 24-19 late in the set, but rallied with a 5-0 run fueled by kills from three different players to tie the score at 24-24. The rally came up short as the Mustangs scored the final two points to claim a 26-24 win. 

In set two it was Upper Iowa's turn to break a 10-10 tie with a run. The Peacocks pushed out to an 18-13 lead thanks to an 8-3 run highlighted by three straight kills by Streightiff. The home team rode their mid-set run to a five-point, 25-20 win to even the match. 

The Mustangs dominated the third set hitting .406 with 15 kills and just 2 attack errors, while forcing the Peacocks into 7 attack errors and an .061 hitting percentage.

With their backs against the wall, Upper Iowa came out swinging in the fourth set. The Peacocks grabbed an early lead and built their advantage slowly to get ahead 18-13. SMSU began to chip away and pulled within one point, 20-19. UIU regained their focus and scored the final five points of the set thanks to kills by Streightiff, Rettler and Semelroth and a block by Semelroth and Streightiff. The 25-19 win pulled the teams even and forced the deciding fifth set.

In the fifth set, SMSU took an early 4-2 lead, but the Peacocks stormed back by outscoring the Mustangs 6-3 to grab an 8-5 lead. Upper Iowa held their advantage and led 12-8 after a pair of aces from Pozorski. The Mustangs rallied and pulled within one, 12-11, and then the teams began to exchange points. A kill from Streightiff gave UIU a set-point at 14-12, but SMSU answered with a kill of their own to get within one, 14-13. Streightiff came through on the ensuing serve with her 22nd kill to seal the victory for Upper Iowa.

UIU will be on the road next weekend. The Peacocks will travel to Wayne State College on Friday, Oct. 22 and then move on to Augustana University on Saturday, Oct. 23. Upper Iowa will return home for a Thursday night match against Winona State University on Oct. 28.