CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – In the weekend opener at UNI, the University of Evansville volleyball team gave the Panthers a fight in the early sets before falling by a 3-0 score inside the McLeod Center.
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Wren Jones and McKenzie Laubach led UE with five kills apiece. Brooke Herdes had a team-high 12 digs while Carsyn Kelley had 14 assists. Lily Dykstra led Northern Iowa with 15 kills while Cassidy Hartman and Calia Clubb had 10 apiece.
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Set 1 – UNI 25, UE 17
Following a rough start that saw Northern Iowa jump out to a 5-0 lead, McKenzie Laubach got the Purple Aces on the board with a kill. Lexi Owen picked up an ace that made it a 7-4 UNI lead as Evansville held strong throughout the middle portion of the set. Things got even closer with a Panther error that got UE within two at 14-12. That is when UNI made its move scoring six in a row on the way to a 25-17 victory.
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Set 2 – UNI 25, UE 12
UNI opened the set taking a 6-2 advantage while the Aces battled back within a pair at 8-6 when Laubach and Carsyn Kelley assisted on a block. Lyla Fisher added a kill during the rally. The Panthers slowly regained control opening a 16-9 lead before cruising to the 25-12 decision to lead 2-0.
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Set 3 – UNI 25, UE 6
Looking to finish the match, the Panthers opened a 9-1 lead to open the frame. Their lead reached double figures at 13-3 and they would clinch the contest with a 25-6 win.
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