THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK VOLLEYBALL … After five straight weeks of road games, the Peacocks host two matches in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium this weekend. They welcome Drury University on Friday 6 p.m. and Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 2 p.m. Upper Iowa comes into the weekend with a 5-8 (1-2 GLVC) record.
LIVE COVERAGE… There are several ways to stay connected with Peacock volleyball if fans are unable to make it to Fayette this weekend. There are both live stats (free) and a pay-per-view webcast available through the links attached with this story. Fans can also refer to UIUPeacocks.com/Live for all links on each gameday.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK… Upper Iowa dropped their first match of the weekend to Illinois Springfield in four sets. The Peacocks dropped the first set 25-23. After being down 24-20, UIU rallied off three straight points, but allowed the home team to seal the deal after a kill from the Prairie Stars.
Upper Iowa claimed the second set in convincing fashion, defeating the Prairie Stars 25-11. They started off the game with a 7-1 advantage, keeping their opponents from getting into a rhythm. The Peacocks held the home team to only six kills in this set. UIU fell in the third set 25-21 and the fourth set 25-20.
The Peacocks wrapped up their weekend with a 3-0 loss to Quincy University. Despite how close the sets were, Upper Iowa was unable to top the execution of the Hawks. The scores were 25-20, 25-22 and 25-22.
THE LADDER OF SUCCESS… Zoe Semelroth currently leads the Peacocks in three statistical categories: kills (162), total blocks (36) and aces (16). The Tripoli, Iowa native is 11th in the Upper Iowa record book with 693 career kills, tied for 6th in career aces with 89 and recently moved into the tenth-place spot for career blocks with 182.
GREEN OUT… The volleyball program is promoting Mental Health Awareness Week by hosting a GREEN OUT at the game on Friday versus Drury. Show your support for good mental health by wearing green to the match. Upper Iowa's SAAC will have a table of mental health goodies at the game, including free 'mental health matters' wristbands for the first 50 people through the doors. The bracelets will be $1 for purchase after exceeding the first 50 fans.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS… The Drury Panthers are 2-13 (1-3 GLVC) on the season. They defeated Missouri S&T last weekend 3-2 for their first conference win, after falling to Lewis (3-0) Indianapolis (3-0) and Maryville (3-1). Juliana Squire leads the team with 3.18 kills per set. Lauren Tyler paces the team with 7.08 assists per set, while Kallie Fenscke averages 5.63.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS… The Bearcats are .500 on the season with a 8-8 overall record and 1-3 mark in the GLVC. Their only conference win in their pallet was against Missouri S&T (3-2). They have dropped to Indianapolis (3-0), Lewis (3-0) and Maryville (3-2). Ella Rademaker and Loran Pritchett pace the team with 3.69 and 3.43 kills per set. Bailey Lasater dishes out an average of 6.06 assists per set.
ON THE HORIZON… The Peacocks are back in Dorman Gymnasium next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference battle with Winona State before heading to Hammond, Ind. for the Midwest Crossover tournament. The Midwest Crossover will be held on Oct. 13-14 with representation from three different conferences (GLVC, GMAC and GLIAC).
