This past weekend, the UNI volleyball team traveled out west to Los Angeles, California for the University of Southern California (USC) Tournament, which featured nationally ranked teams such as the fifth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, tenth-ranked USC Trojans and thirteenth-ranked Creighton Blue Jays.

The Panthers took down Kentucky three sets to two, and Creighton 3-0. UNI came close to USC in each set but fell just short in the end, 3-0.

The first game took place on Friday, Aug. 24 against Creighton. The Panthers beat the Blue Jays 25-23, 25-22, and 25-19 with a total of 46 kills, five aces, nine blocks and 47 digs in the match.

In their second match on Sat. Aug. 25, UNI fell to the Trojans 27-25, 25-23, and 25-20 ending the match with 41 kills, three aces, four blocks, and 53 digs.

The third and final match of the tournament against Kentucky saw UNI winning 23-25, 25-20, 11-25, 25-17, and capping off the win 15-8 in the decisive third set. The Panthers finished with 63 kills, three aces, 11 blocks, and 72 digs.

The standout player of the tournament for the Panthers was junior outside hitter Karlie Taylor. Karlie finished the tournament with 53 kills, 31 digs, three blocks and two aces giving her team the extra push for the tournament. Another standout player from this weekend was junior setter, Rachel Koop. Rachel stood out this weekend by grabbing a total of 124 assists.

This Wednesday, Aug. 29, UNI Volleyball hosts the first home match of the season against in-state rival Iowa State at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center. The game will be a purple-out and the first 100 students admitted to the game will receive a free “Beat State” T-shirt. The Panthers will also host the Washington State Cougars on Friday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. and again on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 11:30 a.m.