DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake volleyball team (10-6, 3-1) hit the double-digit win mark for the season with a 3-1 defeat of Valparaiso (10-8, 2-3). Drake fought through two competitive sets before putting the hammer down and closing out the match 25-20, 27-25, 25-14, 25-16.

Drake opened the match with a quick flurry, building an early lead. Valpo was able to chip away and went on a 3-0 run of their own to eventually take their first lead of the game at 8-7. The Beacons maintained their slight advantage into the first media timeout.

The Bulldogs eventually forced a Beacon timeout after another short spurt, improving the score to 20-18 in favor of Drake. After another scare from the Beacons, Addison Beagle dropped a serve over the net for the Bulldogs' second ace of the set and 25-20 opening period win.

The second set again started competitively with both teams trading scores. The Beacons were able to get in rhythm in the middle of the stanza as they led at the 15-point media timeout. Drake kept within striking distance and eventually chased down the Beacons to knot the tally at 24-all on a Madison Geise kill. The Beacons needed a few extra scores but withstood the Bulldog comeback for a 27-25 set win.

Drake had its smoothest in the third, rolling to a 25-14 victory. Taylor Oberpriller led all players after three sets with 13 kills.

Valpo refused to quit and came out firing in the fourth set as both squads continued to trade points. The Bulldog defense provided a spark in the middle of the stanza with back-to-back blocks by Geise and Kacie Rewerts before Haley Bush connected on a kill to give Drake a 13-8 advantage.

Oberpriller led all players with 22 kills and added 14 digs for her second-straight double-double. Haley Bush was also a potent offensive performer with 15 kills. Addison Beagle distributed 31 assists to lead the match.

Defensively, Kacie Rewerts paced all players with seven blocks while Jada Wills logged a match-best 39 digs.

"I'm really proud of our team tonight," Drake head coach Darrin McBroom said. "Year in and year out Valpo is a solid program and deceptively really good. We knew tonight would be a test for our team. Our players battled through some adversity…to fight through that is a huge thing. Taylor [Oberpriller] and Haley [Bush] really led the way to the win tonight. Can't wait to get back in the gym and keep this thing going."

The Bulldogs will hit the road again next weekend as they continue their MVC schedule at Indiana State on Oct. 6 and Evansville on Oct. 7.
 

NOTES

• Valpo still leads the all-time series with Drake 13-6 despite two-straight wins by the Bulldogs.
• Taylor Oberpriller posted a double-double for the second-consecutive night with a match-high 22 kills and 14 digs.
• The Bulldogs scored on six service aces, tied for the most in a single match this season.
• Haley Bush is second all-time on Drake's all-time kills list with 1,492.