WICHITA, Kan. – Drake volleyball improved to 27-7 on the season with a thrilling opening-round victory in the NIVC earlier today. The Bulldogs outlasted Weber State, the Big Sky Conference runner-up, to advance in postseason play.
 
Drake came out sluggish in the opening set as Weber State opened an 11-5 advantage. The Bulldogs were able to chip away and eventually battled back to get within one point, 21-20. The Wildcats slammed the door, though, with a 4-1 run to end the period capped off by a Drake error.
 
The Bulldogs bounced back in the second set despite another fast start for the Wildcats. Trailing 14-10, Mariana Rodrigues and Taylor Oberpriller deposited three total kills to knot the score. Later in the set, Drake rattled off a 6-0 run of their own to take a 21-17 lead. The two teams traded scores the rest of the way until a Jayda Tupea service error ended the frame, 25-21 in favor of Drake.
 
After a third set owned by Weber State, Drake righted themselves with a 26-24 win in the fourth set. Both squads went back-and-forth until Oberpriller, Kacie Rewerts, and Macy Daufeldt opened a 17-13 lead with four-straight kills. The Bulldogs earned ended the set with another 4-0 rally punctuated by a pair of Wildcat errors.
 
The ever-important fifth set, the Bulldogs grabbed control early and never relinquished. Oberpriller, Daufeldt, and Ashlynn Kuhn built an 8-2 advantage. The Bulldogs defense held firm as the Oberpriller-led attack finished on fire and took the final set 15-7 to earn the thrilling match victory.
 
Oberpriller shined as the match's leading offensive attacker with a new career-high 28 kills while adding 11 digs on the defensive side of the net.
 
The Drake offense was burgeoned by Addison Beagle with 56 assists and another 16 kills from Mariana Rodrigues.
 
Defensively, Kacie Rewerts continued her front row domination with six blocks while Jada Wills picked up 24 digs.

"Today was a very tough match for our team and a very big win." Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said afterwards. "We had to play through a lot of adversity...had to dig into our bench to secure the victory. Taylor Oberpriller stepped up in a big way to lead our offense. Mariana [Rodrigues] pushed beyond some physical challenges and Jada [Wills] anchored our defense. We had three freshman playing big roles for us today. It's great to be a Bulldog!"
 
Drake will be back in action tomorrow evening in Wichita. The Bulldogs will take on either the host Shockers, a familiar foe from previous MVC battles, or the Antelopes of Grand Canyon.
 
NOTES

• The 3-2 victory was Drake's first-ever postseason win in program history.
• Drake added to its record-breaking season with the team's 27th win.
• Taylor Oberpriller led all players with 28 kills, a new career high.
• Addison Beagle dished out 56 assists for the second-straight match.
• Macy Daufeldt recorded the only Drake service ace.
• Drake's win over Weber State was their first in four meetings.