The UNI women’s volleyball team faced the Illinois State Redbirds for their second conference matchup on Saturday, Sept. 23, in Normal, Illinois. Following their 3-0 win over Bradley, UNI won again at Illinois State. This was their third-straight sweep of an opponent, improving UNI’s record to 8-6 overall and 2-0 in Missouri Valley play.
Illinois State came into the game 2-11, but having won two of their last four games. The first set began with both teams trading blows and unable to pull away. Neither team got up by more than two for nearly half the game. Finally, after Illinois State took a 13-12 lead, a pair of kills from Emily Holterhaus sparked a 7-0 run that gave UNI a 19-13 lead. The Redbirds scored a couple to make it 19-15, but a 6-0 run by the Panthers sealed the win 25-15.
The momentum carried over for the Panthers into the next set. After Illinois State took a brief 2-0 lead, UNI rattled off an 8-1 run to lead 8-3. The Redbirds clawed back within three at 9-6, but another 8-1 run put UNI ahead 17-7. UNI eventually cruised on to a 25-16 win.
The final set was the closest of the day. There were times early when the Panthers looked like they might start pulling away again, but Illinois State would respond and come back. UNI’s biggest lead early was 11-8, but Illinois State would soon take the lead 16-15. UNI used a 4-1 run to regain the lead at 19-17, but the Redbirds soon tied it back up at 20 apiece. A pair of kills each from Holterhaus and Layanna Green helped get UNI over the finish line for a 25-22 win to complete the sweep.
Holterhaus led the way with 10 kills for UNI. Erin Powers led the way in digs with 16. Kira Fallert contributed eight kills and 10 digs. Green led the team in blocks with three while also contributing 9 kills. Taylor Alden again led the Panthers in assists with 31.
UNI returns home this week for conference games on Friday, Sept. 29, against Valparaiso and Saturday, Sept. 30, against UIC. The game against Valparaiso will be the “Gold Out” game. The games will be available on ESPN+.
