DES MOINES – The Drake University volleyball team defeated Evansville, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs prevailed by set scores of 25-18, 25-22, 27-29, 26-24.
 
Drake (7-5, 5-4 MVC) nearly completed the victory in three sets, but the Aces (3-10, 2-9 MVC) staved off three match points in the third set to force an extra set. The Bulldogs were able to seal the deal in the fourth set with a kill by Lindsey Pliapol, her seventh of the day.
 
Gillian Gergen added seven kills, Emily Plock tallied a season-best 25 and Haley Bush led all Bulldogs with 29 kills – one shy of her career-high. Plock and Bush combined for 54 kills, equaling Evansville's team output. The Bulldogs finished with 73 kills on .245 hitting.
 
Caitlyn Smith was instrumental in setting up the attacks, notching a career-high 58 assists. Kylee Macke and Gergen led the charge defensively, with Macke recording 27 digs and Gergen leading all players with five blocks.
 
The Bulldogs will conclude their season series against the Aces with a 5 p.m. match on Monday.