DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake volleyball team (17-7, 10-2) comfortably got by Bradley (9-16, 2-10) in a Friday night tilt at the Knapp Center, 3-0. The Bulldogs used a balanced performance to secure the win 25-17, 25-15, 25-14.
 
The Braves came out with some energy in the opening set as the Bulldogs found themselves trailing midway through the first set. A 7-1 Bulldog run spurred by four Taylor Oberpriller kills put Drake back in front 15-12. Drake leaned on their offense the rest of the way as Addison Beagle dropped in a spectacular service ace, the Bulldogs' third of the opening set, to win the first period, 25-17.
 
The Bulldogs picked up where they left off to start the second set, exploding out to a 15-10 lead. Bradley weathered the storm and charged back following the mid-set media timeout, eventually getting back within one point. The balanced Bulldog attack was just too much as Drake sprinted through the remainder of the first set, winning the period 25-15.
 
The onslaught continued as Drake made quick work of the Braves in the third set, 25-14, to earn the sweep and win their 10th league match of the season.
 
Macy Daufeldt and Taylor Oberpriller posted 15 kills apiece to lead all players. Oberpriller also matched Kacie Rewerts with a match-best four blocks. Addison Beagle led Drake with 24 assists and equaled her career high with five service aces.
 
Elsewhere, Haley Bush became just the second player in Drake volleyball history to eclipse the 1,600-kill mark and is closing in on the program record. She posted a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.
 
As a team, Drake's 10 service aces were the most in a single match this season and equaled last year's best performance.
 
"It's nice when you have a match that everything seems to go your way," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "I'm really proud of our athletes…everybody seemed to be doing their parts and doing it well. We came out of the gates a little slow in the first set, but then zoned in. When you can do that, you're going to have some good results."
 
The Bulldogs will battle a resurgent Illinois State squad to close their weekend at 5 p.m. tomorrow evening.

NOTES

• Drake is now 4-2 at home this season.
• 12 of Drake's 17 wins have come via sweep.
• The Bulldogs have now won two matches in a row and seven of their last eight contests.
• Addison Beagle matched her career high with five service aces.
• Drake's 10 service aces were the most in a single match this season and equaled last year's best performance.
• Haley Bush became just the second player in Drake volleyball history to eclipse the 1,600-kill mark.
• Bush is second all-time on Drake's all-time kills list with 1,603.