Upper Iowa took a set from No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State University on Senior Night in Fayette on Friday, but the nationally-ranked Mustangs bounced back with wins in the third and fourth sets to claim a 3-1 victory. With the loss, the Peacocks fall to 14-12 overall and 8-11 in the Northern Sun, while SMSU improved to 22-5 overall and 14-5 in the NSIC.
 
Following the match, UIU took time to honor their eight seniors and their families in attendance for the years of hard work and success in Fayette.
 
After Southwest Minnesota State took the first set by a score of 25-21, the Peacocks bounced back and grabbed a 25-19 win in the second frame. The Mustangs controlled the pace in the first set hitting .324 with 17 kills, while holding their hosts to a .139 hitting percentage and just 10 kills. However, Upper Iowa turned the tables on their guests in the second set hitting .265 with 13 kills, while forcing SMSU to hit .105 with 11 kills and seven attack errors.
 
The Mustangs bounced back from their rough-hitting second set and claimed 25-18 and 25-12 wins in the third and fourth set to get out of town with the four-set victory.
 
SMSU was led by Meg Schmidt, who knocked down 20 kills on 45 swings. Brooklyn Kusler (12) and Katelyn Nichols (10) joined Schmidt with double-digit kills. Alisa Bengen handed out 44 assists and added six kills, while Natalee Rolbiecki got to 22 digs.
 
Zoe Semelroth (11 kills) led a balanced attack that also featured nine kills from Sarah Johnson and eight from Emily Kono. The three Peacocks hit .346, .333 and .412, respectively, but the rest of the team converted just 11 kills with 18 attack errors on 73 swings. Nicole Pozorski recorded 30 assists and added 11 digs, while Kaci Beesecker grabbed a match-high 24 digs.
 
The Peacocks will close out their 2022 season on Saturday at home in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. Upper Iowa will host the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls at 5 p.m.