The Peacock volleyball team opened their 2022 campaign in style with a three-set sweep of Lake Superior State University on Thursday afternoon. Upper Iowa won the match and only allowed the Lakers 14,12 and 20 points, respectively, in each of the three sets.
 
"In a lot of ways, it didn't feel like our first match of the year today," said Head Coach Aaron Nelson. "We played with confidence and discipline throughout and did a great job handling things on our side of the net. It was a solid team effort to start the year."
 
As a team, the Peacocks hit .280 in the match with 35 kills and just nine errors on 93 swings. While UIU was getting what they wanted on offense, their defense was stifling the Laker attack. UIU forced their opponent into a .058 hitting percentage and 21 attack errors which included nine team blocks at the net.
 
Nicole Pozorski led the team in several categories in the match including assists (23), digs (12) and blocks with a pair of solo stops and two more assisted denials. Madelyn Rettler tallied nine kills at a .421 clip, while Sarah Johnson added eight kills and a .571 hitting percentage thanks to zero attack errors. Kylee Oldenburger chipped in seven kills on the outside as well.
 
Upper Iowa gets back on the court on Friday, Aug. 26 in Marquette, Mich. for a pair of matches. The Peacocks will line up against the University of Minnesota Crookston at 3 p.m. EST and Northern Michigan University at 7 p.m. EST.