The volleyball team didn’t take much time to rest this break, as they took on four opponents over the course of seven days. Squaring off against Bradley, Loyola, Illinois State and Wichita State, UNI walked away with three wins that bumped them up in overall ranks as they look ahead to the upcoming rounds of the NCAA Championship.

Starting off the week at home against Bradley on Nov. 20, the Panthers clinched their sixth season shut-out by set scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-23. This victory marked the 21st straight win UNI has taken over the Braves throughout their last confrontations.

Continuing to defend their honor the following night, UNI claimed another victory—defeating Loyola in their last home competition of the season. Taking the team in a four-set thriller by set scores of 19-25, 27-25, 26-24 and 25-18, the Panthers finished their regular season and looked to the MVC tournament.

Traveling to Springfield, MO on Thanksgiving Day, UNI extended their winning streak to four matches and knocked off Illinois State in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Taking their victory by set scores 25-27, 25-23, 25-16 and 25-19, the Panthers advanced to the conference semi-finals.

The following day, the Panthers took on the No. 1 ranked team in the MVC—Wichita State.  Taking the first two sets, UNI fell in the following three sets, leaving the Shockers to take a 3-2 victory that advanced them to the MVC title match.

The NCAA Championships commence this Friday, Dec. 4 in The Sports Pavilion in Minneapolis, MN. The lady Panthers will begin their journey through the brackets by taking on Marquette in the first round. This match, as well as the rest of the qualifying matches, can be watched live from the Minnesota Women’s Volleyball page.

If UNI is victorious against Marquette, they will face the victor of the Jackson State-Minnesota match the following night at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec 5.