SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake volleyball team (22-10, 14-4) battled back to push Wednesday's MVC title match to five sets but could not take down the regular season champs. The Bulldogs dropped the first two sets of the evening and fought back, but eventually lost 25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 6-15 in the second-straight conference championship meeting with UNI.

The Panthers won the first two periods by identical scores of 25-19. UNI used a 5-0 run midway through the opening set to extend their lead to eight points, a margin too wide for Drake to overcome. The Bulldogs kept things close in the second set until UNI was able to widen the gap again, this time with a 7-1 rally.

Facing a 2-0 match deficit, Drake flipped the script in the third and fourth sets. The Bulldogs overcame an early 7-2 UNI lead in the third and eventually took their first lead of the stanza at 20-19 amidst a 6-0 spurt. The Panthers were able to knot the score at 23-all before back-to-back kills by Haley Bush and Taylor Oberpriller ended the frame in favor of the Bulldogs.

Drake got out in front earlier in the fourth set, inching ahead at 10-9. UNI was able to earn a two-point lead just prior to the mid-set media timeout, but another 9-2 Drake run punctuated by three-straight Oberpriller scores widened the margin. The Bulldogs eventually captured the set with another Oberpriller kill and a Panther error.

The match remained competitive through the opening portion of the fifth set as Drake trailed 7-6. UNI quickly gained control and sprinted through the remainder of the match with 8-0 run to end the contest, 3-2.

Taylor Oberpriller led Drake with 19 kills and added 17 digs. Haley Bush also posted a double-double with 15 kills and 11 digs. Macy Daufeldt also added 21 digs and another 11 kills. The fourth Bulldog with a double-double, Addison Beagle, dished out 29 assists and made 10 digs.

Defensively, Jada Wills led the Bulldogs with 22 digs and Kacie Rewerts posted a team-high six blocks.

"I'm just very proud of the way this team battled tonight," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "Getting to the championship match is a major achievement in itself…winning it is even more challenging. This team has continued to elevate this program as we are a contender for an NCAA Tournament bid. I am proud to work with such a high-achieving and talented group of young women."

The Bulldogs will now await their postseason fate with hopes of an NCAA Tournament at-large berth or a nod into the NIVC for the second-straight year.
 
 
NOTES

• Drake is now 7-3 in neutral site matches this season.
• The Panthers swept the season series against Drake, 3-0.
• Tonight's match was the second-straight appearance for Drake and second-straight meeting with UNI for the league crown.
• Four Drake players posted double-doubles.
• Taylor Oberpriller led the Bulldogs with 19 kills and 17 digs.
• Haley Bush logged 15 kills and 11 digs.
• Addison Beagle dished out 29 assists and 10 digs.