The UNI women’s volleyball team took their opponent, Drake University, 3-0, in a  match that required both their offensive and defensive strengths. Facing the Bulldogs at home on Saturday, Oct. 17, UNI improved their season record to 11-10, and the 5-3 in the MVC.

Starting at the beginning of the first set, the Panthers were quick to turn around and get ahead of their opponent. A combination of successful digs and the ability to quickly put the ball away separated the teams as UNI increased their lead by four, seven and 12 points—finishing 25-13 over the Bulldogs.

A service ace by Ashlee Sinnott and well-placed kills by Amie Held started the Panthers, 12-7, in the second set. After holding a 20-13 lead, the Panthers let up, allowing the Bulldogs to close the gap to 20-18.

Head coach Bobbi Petersen commented on Drake’s comeback by saying

“Those are things we’re trying to work through and trying to prevent,” said head coach Bobbi Peterson,“[when you’re leading] it’s just different body language and it’s not the same intensity that got you to that point, so we’re working on that.”

Picking up the pace, the Panthers turned around to take the second set, 25-20.

With the Bulldogs leading in the beginning of the third set, a service ace by Bri Weber tied the teams at 6-6 and a kill by Kayla Haneline gave UNI the lead 7-6. Drake’s strong defense and patient offense kept the scores close throughout the set but weren’t enough to hold back the Panthers from taking the match with set score, 25-18.

“I think that there’s still a lot of untapped potential right now as a team,” said Panther setter Heather Hook, “but we’re really on the right road right now—on the way up towards our peak.”

UNI has a tough week ahead of them starting this Tuesday, Oct. 20 as they compete against Loyola in Chicago at 5 p.m.