The UNI volleyball team encountered a tough road matchup against a hopeful Murray State team on Saturday night, but left Kentucky with their 12th straight win, remaining undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play.
The Panthers have won 28 of their last 29 conference matches dating back to the 2022 season. UNI also secured their 15th road victory of their last 16 games in the MVC.
The Panthers faced a persistent Murray State team throughout the opening set, yet only trailed at most by three points. UNI stayed within striking distance thanks to Kira Fallert and Emily Holterhaus getting four terminations each within the first set.
Tied at 23-23 in the first set, UNI took advantage on a Murray State service error and won the set 25-23.
UNI opened the second set on a 6-0 run, but Murray State would not go away. The Racers scored 11 of the next 17 points to tie the score up at 13-13. Murray State would continue to get the upper hand and win the set 25-21. It was just the third set lost by the Panthers in conference play this season.
Murray State opened the third set in the same fashion as they closed the second, scoring four straight points. UNI’s offense got the Panthers back in the right direction as Erin Powers dished out a pair of service aces, while Layanna Green and Fallert both had back-to-back kills. The Panthers tied the game up at 14-14, then closed on an 11-6 run to win the set, 25-20.
UNI continued their hot streak into the fourth and ultimately final set. The Panthers opened on a 5-0 run, and never looked back, winning the set 25-14. UNI had 19 terminations on a .485 hitting percentage in the final set.
Holterhaus, who recorded her 1,500th career kill on Saturday, led the Panthers with a season-high 20 kills on 52 attempts while Tayler Alden tied her season high in assists with 49 on the night.
UNI returns home for a two-game slate against the Illinois State Redbirds on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. and the Bradley Braves on Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. The Panthers fans are encouraged to wear white as the team celebrates First Responders Night against the Redbirds, and are encouraged to wear black against Bradley on Trick or Treat Night. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+.
