VALPARAISO, Ind. – Drake volleyball (21-7, 14-2) secured the No. 2 overall seed in the upcoming MVC Tournament with a decisive 3-1 victory on the road at Valpo (18-11, 10-6). The Bulldogs took care of business in all but one set as they beat third place Valparaiso 25-10, 25-27, 25-16, 25-15.
 
The two teams traded scores as the first set got underway, but the Bulldogs took control not long after. A 6-0 run with four kills from four different players extended Drake's lead to 15-8. The Beacons had no answer as Drake powered their way to a 25-10 set win capped off by a Taylor Oberpriller kill.
 
Valpo remained competitive throughout the second set, eventually taking the frame 27-25. The Bulldogs had a few late opportunities as the set moved past the 25-point threshold. Valpo collected back-to-back scores on a Bella Ravotto kill and attack error to secure their lone set win of the night.
 
The third and fourth set progressed in similar fashion as Drake leapt out to early leads in both. The Bulldogs led 15-6 midway through the third period and worked their way to a 25-16 win with relative ease.
 
Valpo provided a bit more pressure early in the fourth, but the Drake attack was just too much as the Bulldogs rode their potent offense to a 25-15 win punctuated by a Jada Wills service ace.
 
The Drake defense performed well in the Bulldogs' balanced win, holding Valpo to an .081 hitting percentage with a match-best eight blocks from Kacie Rewerts. Wills added a match-high 25 digs while Oberpriller collected 19 and Macy Daufeldt had 16.
 
Offensively, Oberpriller's 22 kills paced all players for her sixth 20+ kill performance of the year. Haley Bush also recorded double-digit kills with 12 while scoring on three service aces. Elsewhere, Addison Beagle dished out 24 assists while Madison Geise had 18.
 
"Every win we get, we have to celebrate," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom expressed. "Everyone gives us their best…Valpo was third in The Valley, and they are very tough. It was challenging. Taylor [Oberpriller] and [Ashlynn] Kuhn were able to hit it hard and get after it. Our serve receive unit was stellar. I'm hopeful...we're not playing perfect, but we're playing hard, and there's a lot of positives that come with that."
 
The Bulldogs will wrap up the weekend tomorrow evening with a visit to UIC at 5 p.m. Drake will seek to avenge an earlier loss as the Flames downed Drake 3-2 in the Dogs' home opener.
 
NOTES

• Drake is now 8-3 away from home this season.
• The Bulldogs have now won seven matches in a row and 11 of their last 12 contests.
• Tonight's win secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MVC Tournament for Drake.
• Taylor Oberpriller exceeded the 20-kill mark for the sixth time this season with a match-high 22 kills.
• Oberpriller completed a double-double with 19 digs.
• Kacie Rewerts defended the net well with a match-best eight blocks.