The women’s volleyball team came home from Indianapolis, IN this weekend with two victories. Competing in the Butler All-American Classic, UNI took Cincinnati and Butler by storm on Friday but fell to Illinois-Chicago Saturday afternoon.

Starting off against the Cincinnati Bearcats, the Panthers made their mark with a confident 3-1 victory. Falling in their first set by 16-25, UNI was quick to come back and take the next three consecutive sets with scores of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-17. UNI broke the Bearcat’s five-match winning streak in addition to setting their season record at 13 total team blocks.

Individually, sophomore Kayla Haneline claimed eight blocks, tying her career record. Freshmen Piper Thomas set her career-high with 13 kills. Freshman Kendyl Sorge set her career-high with 19 digs. Freshman Bri Weber and sophomore Heather Hook scored double-doubles; Weber with 13 kills and 19 digs, Hook with 46 assists and 12 digs.

Later that afternoon, the Panthers struck again and notched a victory in a five-set chase against the Butler Bulldogs. UNI fell in their first set with a set score of 17-25, but took two sets at 25-15 and 25-23, falling again by 23-25, winning with a fifth-set score of 15-12.

Haneline set her career-high in service aces at three aces, 14 kills and seven blocks. Thomas notched another 13 kills. Weber took another double-double with 15 kills and 12 digs. Hook recorded 54 assists, 19 digs and six kills. Junior Amie Held earned a team-best of 21 digs. It was UNI’s first five-set victory in almost a year, beating Missouri State last October. With the second win, the Panthers earned a share of the All-American Classic title before taking on UIC.

Fighting hard, UNI fell to the Illinois-Chicago Flames on Saturday, Sept. 12. Going into another five-setter—UNI lost with scores of 20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 23-25 and 9-15. Haneline earned her career-high of 19 kills, Weber scored yet another double-double, making that her sixth of the season with 15 kills and 15 digs. Hook earned a career-high 55 assists against the Flames. Held also earned a season-best 23 digs on the match.

UNI walked away from Indianapolis with a 4-5 overall record, and looks to build upon that this upcoming Wednesday, Sept. 16 when they face the Cyclones at 6:30 p.m. The Cyclones are currently 6-3.