SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake volleyball team (22-9, 14-4) advanced to their second-straight and fifth-ever MVC Tournament championship with a 3-0 sweep of UIC (21-12, 11-7) this evening. The Bulldogs avenged two regular season losses to UIC, winning the semifinal match in straight sets 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.

"It was a total team effort," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "Everyone did their part to get the outcome that we needed. We certainly were aware that they beat us twice earlier this season and I think it really helped us focus on how difficult this game could be. We knew we had to bring our best and we did. UIC is a really good team and we finished well."
 
The Bulldogs and Flames probed through the opening portion of the first set until a 5-0 Drake run widened the gap. The Bulldogs added another 5-0 rally capped by a pair of Haley Bush kills to extend their lead to seven.
 
Drake hit the 20-point mark first and held another seven-point lead at 22-15 before UIC started their comeback effort. The Flames got back within one but could not keep the prolific Drake offense down for long as Bush and Taylor Oberpriller pushed the Dogs to a 25-22 set win.
 
The Bulldogs took control of the second set in short order, jumping out to a 10-4 lead. UIC was able to rebound and inch back within a few scores midway through the period. Bush triggered another late spurt for the Bulldogs as Drake rattled off a 7-1 run punctuated by an Addison Beagle ace to win the set, 25-16, and take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Drake followed the script of the two previous sets in the third with another early advantage, this time 8-5. UIC chipped away and got within one before another Bulldog streak extended the margin. The Bulldogs maintained their advantage through the remainder of the set, building a lead as large as eight points.
 
Despite a 6-2 Flames rally, Macy Daufeldt provided the final blow to win the third set 25-20 and take the 3-0 match win.
 
Bush and Daufeldt led all players with 17 kills and 14 kills, respectively. The Bulldog offense was orchestrated by Madison Geise with 23 assists and Addison Beagle with 18 assists.
 
Defensively, Ashlynn Kuhn made a team-high five blocks while newly minted MVC Libero of the Year Jada Wills collected 20 digs.
 
"I don't know if it's positive or negative, but we'll feel the same kind of pressure tomorrow as we did tonight," McBroom added. "UNI has also beat us twice and if we're not at our best they'll beat us again. But we're up for the challenge and ready to play some good volleyball."
 
Drake will compete for their first-ever birth in the NCAA Tournament tomorrow afternoon against MVC regular season champion UNI. The Bulldogs and Panthers will put the ball in the air at 4 p.m.
 
 
NOTES

• Drake is now 7-2 in neutral site matches this season.
• Drake's win avenged two earlier losses to UIC as the Flames swept the regular season series.
• 15 of the Bulldogs' 22 wins have come via sweep.
• Wednesday's title match will be the second-straight appearance for Drake and second-straight meeting with UNI for the league crown.
• Haley Bush and Macy Daufeldt led all players with 17 kills and 14 kills, respectively.
• MVC Libero of the Year Jada Wills racked up a match-best 20 digs.