DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Northern Iowa Saturday night at the Knapp Center in front of a season-high 845 fans.

UNI (18-6, 10-2 MVC) won tonight's match by scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-17 as the win coupled with Wichita State's loss at Southern Illinois gives the Panthers sole procession of the top spot in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.

Drake (2-22, 0-12 MVC) was paced by junior Amanda Platte (Mount Vernon, Iowa) and freshman Capris Quaites (Omaha, Neb.) as each had eight kills. Quaites continues to swing well as the first-year outside hitter finished with just one attack error, while hitting .240. She added two blocks.

“Overall I'm pleased with our team tonight,” said Drake head coach Darrin McBroom. “We served exceptionally well and our goal was to out serve and out pass UNI tonight. Going into the third set we had the slight edge in that. Offensively we did better and we are moving in the right direction unfortunately we couldn't close it out.”

Set one was tightly contested as the teams traded points as neither side went up by more than two points. UNI held a 22-20 as Drake called its final timeout of the set. Following the timeout the Panthers scored three straight-points to close out the frame at 25-20. Platte and Quaites paced Drake's offensive attack finishing with four kills each. The set featured 12 score ties and five lead changes.

The second set was all UNI early as it took an 11-7 lead, which forced Drake to use its first timeout. However, out of the break, the Bulldogs ripped off four straight points to tie the score at 11-11. The rally was not to be as the Panthers went on to win the set, 25-17.

The final set was close early as a kill by Platte evened the frame at 9-9, but UNI answered with a 3-0 scoring run. Drake quickly called timeout, but it did not slow the Panthers as they built an 18-12 lead, which forced the Bulldogs to use its final timeout. Macy Ubben closed out the match for UNI with her ninth kill of the night to win 25-17.

“Capris continues to play well for us,” McBroom said. “We worked with her this week to play and swing aggressively. It showed tonight with her eight kills and just one error. She's going to help us put points on the board.”

Senior Sarah Madden (Van Meter, Iowa) tallied a team-high 19 digs to lead Drake's defense, while sophomore Rebecca Brown (Bentonville, Ark.) recorded a double-double with 19 assists and 11 digs.

The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday, Nov. 9 when they welcome Southern Illinois to the Knapp Center with first serve set for 7 p.m.

“If we can play like we did tonight against the top team in the conference the rest of the way we have a real good chance of challenging teams every match,” commented McBroom. “If we do that we have an opportunity to finish this season very well.”