The record setting UNI volleyball team is gearing up for another successful season. After topping the Missouri Valley Conference’s 2018 preseason poll, the Panthers are ready to get back under the lights. This past Saturday, August 18th, the Panthers set up for the annual Purple & Gold Scrimmage in the McLeod Center. The two teams were White and Purple, both having an equal amount of youth and experience. With a very sizable crowd in attendance for this preseason matchup, it is safe to say that the fans of the Cedar Valley area are excited to begin the season. After a three-set exhibition, the white team claimed victory in two of the three sets after holding off a persistent purple team with the scores of 25-20, 30-28, 15-11. Head Coach Bobbi Peterson expressed how this was one of the most competitive scrimmages they’ve had to date.

This year’s team is evenly mixed with role-players, newcomers, and veterans. Veteran blockers Piper Thomas and Kendyl Sorge return this season. Both started in all 36 matchups and played in all 132 sets for the Panthers last season.

Thomas was named to the 2017 first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference squad. Also ranking first on the team in kills (524-4.00/set), blocks (119) and hitting percentage (.360). Senior Kendyl Sorge led the team with 625 digs last season which tied for fourth all-time on the UNI Single-season records for digs in a season.

These are just a few of the many Panthers who hope to continue the same team dominance from last year. The Panthers always match up well against big-time opponents, and that’s what they have in Power Five conference opponent USC. UNI opens the 2018 season at the USC Tournament August 24-25 in Los Angeles, California. The return to Iowa to host in-state rivals Iowa State at the McLeod Center at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29th.