CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Drake volleyball lost for the first time in four matches this evening in a tilt at UNI. The Bulldogs fell behind Northern Iowa early and could not climb back into contention. Drake is now 14-6 overall and 5-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
 
UNI scored early and often in the opening set. The Panthers jumped out to a 4-1 lead and didn't look back. Later in the first set, UNI widened their advantage to 17-7 on their way to a convincing win in the first set.
 
The Bulldogs battled back in the second set with significantly more tenacity. Drake opened the frame with a 2-0 lead and challenged the league-leading Panthers the entire way. Trailing 24-22 with the set on the line, Macy Daufeldt recorded a kill and Addie Schmierer delivered a service ace to knot the score and force extra time. Both teams traded scores until the host Panthers rattled off two-straight points to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Drake increased their pressure again in the third set with 6-0 run to start the stanza. UNI fought back but the Bulldogs controlled the set and earned the 25-18 win on a Kacie Rewerts kill.
 
In the fourth set, UNI settled back into their rhythm and cruised to another 25-18 win to seal the victory.
 
Haley Bush led the Bulldogs with 16 kills and added 13 digs. Addison Beagle had another solid individual performance with 47 assists and a pair of service aces. Defensively, Drake's leading blocker Rewerts logged three rejections while Jada Wills had 17 digs.
 
"We didn't come out strong right away," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said after the loss. "We let them set the tone. We did some amazing things, did some things really well, but other times we didn't. When you're playing a team that isn't as good as UNI you can get away with those ups and downs, but when you play a good team, they're going to make you pay. We have two days of practice to refocus mentally, and hopefully we come out stronger and crisper this weekend."
 
Drake will return home for another key conference weekend. The Bulldogs will host Valparaiso on Friday, Oct. 14 and UIC on Saturday, Oct. 15.
 
 
Notes

• Drake's loss was their second in MVC play and first since dropping a five-set match at Valpo on Sept. 24.
• The Bulldogs' loss also snapped a four-game winning streak, their longest of the season.
• Drake recorded 55 digs to UNI's 54.