DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake volleyball capped off their 2022 regular season schedule with an impressive four-set victory over their rivals from UNI this evening (25-27, 25-18, 25-21, 25-18). The Bulldogs improved their overall record to 25-6 and their MVC mark to 16-2.
Both teams traded scores throughout the opening set with UNI leading by as many as six points. Despite the Panthers' control, Drake managed a rally in the latter stages of the period. Trailing 22-18, Haley Bush and Taylor Oberpriller slammed back-to-back kills to spark the comeback. A pair of Panther errors tied the score at 22 all. Both squads continued to exchange scores until a Tayler Alden kill and Bulldog error secured the set win for UNI.
 
The Bulldogs bounced back in a big way in the second set. After a competitive early portion of the frame, the Bulldogs opened a 10-5 capped by another Oberpriller kill. UNI was able to stay within striking distance but could not catch up to a streaking Bulldog team. Eventually, Mariana Rodrigues delivered back-to-back kills to end the set in favor of the Dogs, 25-18.
 
Drake continued their momentum in the third set with another victory. The Bulldogs led early before UNI charged back to take a 15-14 advantage. Drake was able to refocus and rattled off a 6-1 run to take a 20-16 lead. The Bulldogs held on despite another late challenge by the Panthers to win the set 25-21.
 
The fourth set saw similar action as both sides went back-and-forth until the Bulldogs took hold of the stanza. Tied 12-12, Rodrigues recorded another kill to take the lead. Drake never looked back and cruised to the set victory, 25-18, and the 3-1 match win.
 
Haley Bush led all players with 21 kills followed by Mariana Rodrigues with 17. Kacie Rewerts matched her best single-match output with nine total blocks followed by Ashlynn Kuhn with six and Oberpriller with five. Addison Beagle orchestrated the Bulldog offense well with 47 assists. Three Drake players logged double-digit digs led by Jada Wills' 15 plus Beagle and Bush with 13 and 11, respectively.

"I could not be prouder than I am tonight," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said after the victory. "Everybody did their job and did it well. UNI is one of the most dominant volleyball programs in this league and beyond so anytime you can get a win is big. We've been getting better in the last half of the conference schedule. Big players play well in big games. Haley Bush did that tonight, 21 kills and hitting .360 against one of the best defensive teams in our league. Huge night at the net for Kacie Rewerts. Really, just to complete an undefeated home season is awesome"
 
"I think we are peaking at the right time and our players have remained very motivated," McBroom continued. "Our team feels really confident. We're in a good place and we have to find a way to keep that edge. Obviously, UNI is a challenge. UIC is tough team too right behind us as the three seed with historical success in the postseason. Southern Illinois took UNI to five last so it's going to be a tough tournament."
 
Drake will travel to Evansville, Ind. next week for the 2022 MVC Tournament. As the second-overall seed, the Bulldogs will receive a bye to the semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
 
NOTES

• Haley Bush recorded over 20+ kills for the fourth time this season with 21.
• Bush also amassed 11 digs to secure her fourth-straight double-double and 13th double-double of the season.
• Drake's 25 total wins match their most in program history with one other occurrence in 1995.
• The Bulldogs' 16 MVC victories are their most since earning the same number in 1996.
• Drake will compete in the MVC Tournament for the 13th time in program history.
• UNI now leads the all-time series by a 73-7 margin. Drake's win ended a two-game Panther streak in the rivalry.