The UNI women’s volleyball team dominated Evansville this weekend and fell to Southern Illinois after a tightly knit four-set match. The Panthers defeated the Evansville Purple Aces Friday, Oct. 23 in three sets, marking their fourth shut-out of the season. UNI kept things close with the Southern Illinois Salukis but lost their grip falling 1-3 to their opponent on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Starting back in their first set of the weekend, it didn’t take long for the Panthers to turn the tides against Evansville. From 6-8, UNI shifted their momentum and moved to 17-8 ,due to major kills from Amie Held and Piper Thomas.

Finishing 25-13 in the first set, the Panthers went on to take the second set by 25-13 and the third by set score, 25-12.

Amie Held led the team against the Purple Aces with 11 kills, 11 digs, four kills and two aces. In addition, Piper Thomas stepped up with eight kills and six blocks, while Heather Hook led the team with 33 assists.

Coming out of the night with a .337 hitting percentage, UNI blew Evansville’s .010 percentage out of the water.

Heading to Southern Illinois to take on the Salukis the next night, the Panthers put up a fight against them but fell, 1-3, in their second match of the weekend.

Falling in the first set by 16-25, UNI rallied to take the second set, 25-23, after a hard-earned bout. Throughout the set, back-to-back service aces by Held and multiple kills by Kayla Haneline kept the team afloat.

Keeping the scores close, the Panthers fell to the Salukis, 25-23, in the third set.

After clenching a four-point lead against Southern Illinois, UNI lost their grip and fell to their opponent in their fourth and final set by set score, 17-25.

Although they lost the match,  Held marked her seventh career double-double by recording 14 kills and 13 digs against Southern Illinois. In addition, Heather Hook notched a career-high 48 assists.

Returning home this Halloween weekend, the Panthers will face both Illinois and Indiana State in the McLeod Center Oct. 30 and 31 at 7 p.m.