Upper Iowa secured a four-set win at Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday afternoon. The Peacocks had to rally both from a first-set loss and a 24-18 hole in the fourth set to pull off the victory. The win improves UIU's record to 20-9 on the year and 13-7 in the Northern Sun Conference. The 13 conference wins mark a new program record for wins in the powerhouse-NSIC. UIU has also claimed one of the eight spots in the NSIC Championships next weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
The Peacock struggled in the match hitting .105 with 54 kills and 36 attack errors, but UIU's defense came to play forcing the Dragons into a .063 hitting percentage with 31 kills and 21 attack errors. Upper Iowa's defense put their hands on 98 digs in the four-set match led by Charisma Herr's 36. Madelyn Rettler and Sarah Stevelinck added 23 and 14 digs, respectively.
 
After dropping the first set 25-20, the Peacocks used an 11-0 run to take control in the second frame and a 9-2 run late in the third set to post wins by scores of 25-18 and 25-17.
 
In the fourth set, Upper Iowa trailed 21-14 and 24-17, but the Peacocks dug down and fought back. A pair of kills from Rettler started the rally and then Maggie Streightiff took over on the right side pounding down three straight kills. UIU scored seven straight points to tie the score at 24-24. The Peacocks then scored three of the final four points in the set including kills by Nicole Pozorski and Rettler to win 27-25 and claim the match win.
 
Rettler led the offense with 14 kills, while Streightiff added 11, Kaitlin Niedert posted nine and Pozorski added seven. Pozorski handed out 40 assists and chipped in 10 digs. In addition to her nine digs/set, Herr added four service aces. Kylie Willis and Zoe Semelroth each had four blocks at the net.
 
While the Peacocks know they will be playing in Sioux Falls next weekend, the team does not know what seed they have earned or who their opponent will be. Currently, the team is in a three-way tie for sixth place with Northern State University and Southwest Minnesota State University, but depending on one more NSIC outcome, UIU could move into a four-way tie for fifth place along with NSU, SMSU and Augustana. Once all the ties are broken the Northern Sun will release the seeds and quarterfinal matchups for The Pentagon next weekend.