Box Score

DES MOINES, Iowa – In its best match of the Missouri Valley Conference season, the Purple Aces volleyball team hit .339 on its way to a 3-0 victory over Drake on Sunday afternoon.

Junior Ashley Ring led the attack once again for UE (9-17, 4-11 MVC) as she posted a match-high 14 kills while hitting .333 on the day. Just behind her was Emma Roberson, who posted 12 kills while Lauren Seyller was just behind with 11.

Roberson hit an unbelievable .706 against the Bulldogs (2-24, 0-14 MVC) as she compiled her 12 kills in just 17 attempts while failing to make an error.

Ring had her shot going from the outset, posting a pair of kills early on as the Aces scooted out to an 8-3 lead in the first set. The lead for Evansville stayed strong at 4-6 points until a Meaghan Holmes kill broke it open. UE was up 20-15 before Holmes' tally marked the first of five points in a row as the Aces took a 25-17 decision. The duo of Roberson and Ring finished with five kills apiece in the opening frame.

A late rally proved to be the difference in the second game as there was once again some back-and-forth action at the start before the Aces stood ahead at 8-7. Another Ring kill set UE on a 3-0 stretch, a rally that eventually made its way to a 17-5 run to finish with a 25-12 win. The turning point came with the Aces up by a 14-9 score before Seyller registered three consecutive kills while Katie Klages got the job done with her serve. Their efforts propelled UE on a 9-0 stretch.

Drake put forth its top effort in the third set, scoring the first two points, which included a Katie Allen service ace. As part of a 4-0 run, the Aces knotted the set up for the first time at 4-4 as Kim Deprez led a 4-0 run that also saw UE pick up its first lead at 5-4.

Evansville continued to tie or hold the advantage until a Rebecca Brown kill gave the Bulldogs a 19-18 lead later on. They would continue to hold that lead as the score turned to 22-20. The Aces would not relent as Deprez led the Aces on a 3-0 stretch to retake the lead. Drake would tie the game up at 23-23 before kills by Rachel TenHoor and Ring completed the comeback via the 25-23 win.

Just three regular-season matches remain for Evansville, beginning on Friday when the Aces travel to Carbondale, Ill. to face SIU. Game time is 7 p.m. In two weeks, the Aces wrap up the 2013 slate against Indiana State and Illinois State.