DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake volleyball team dropped its fourth Missouri Valley Conference game of the season on Friday night as the UIC Flames came into the Knapp Center and earned a four-set victory over the Bulldogs.
After starting the first set by trading points to a 6-6 tie, the Flames jumped ahead of the Bulldogs using a 7-0 run to put Drake in a 13-6 deficit. Drake tried to climb out of that deficit and was able to make a dent with a 3-0 run, which set the score at 19-15, but no comeback was to be had and UIC claimed the frame, 25-19.
It was another early stage run by the Flames to push them ahead in the second set as they claimed an 11-4 lead over Drake following another 7-0 burst like the action in set one. Following a kill by
Kamryn Behrns to end the UIC run, the Flames immediately went on a 5-0 run that put the Bulldogs down double digits, 16-5. The Bulldogs managed to get back in the contest a little thanks to three consecutive kills from
Caroline Smith and Behrns that put the score at 22-17, but it wasn't much longer for UIC to close out the frame, 25-18.
Needing a set win to stay alive and keep the match going, Drake responded early with a 4-0 run in the third frame. UIC stayed right on the heels of the Bulldogs as the set progressed and by the time of the media timeout Drake held on to a one-point advantage off another score by Smith. After a quick 3-0 scoring spurt by Drake, the Bulldogs had a 21-16 lead and could see the finish line to the frame, but UIC wouldn't go down easy and had some momentum growing as the Flames battled on two consecutive set points to pull within three of the Bulldogs, 24-21. It was
Isabelle Kremer, however, that closed it out for the Dogs to force a fourth set securing the winning kill, 25-21.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle the entire way between the Flames and Bulldogs as neither side could gain any true separation from one another. Drake had the lead at the 11-8 mark, but UIC threw a counter punch and jumped ahead of the Bulldogs 14-12 after a 5-0 run. Drake eventually gained its three-point lead back at 19-16 when
Bliss Beck stepped up with a service ace, but once again UIC stole the lead back with four straight scores to go up 20-19. Ultimately, UIC found its rhythm down the stretch and put an end to things taking a 3-0 run to the final point, 25-23.
Behrns and Smith were the offensive leaders for the Bulldogs registering 18 and 15 kills, respectively. Behrns also provided some defense tallying 10 digs to give her a double-double.
Katie Quick, meanwhile, posted a new career best with 40 assists. Senior libero
Jasmine Dulan ended her night with a team-high 25 digs to round out the stat sheet for Drake.
The Bulldogs will return to action tomorrow with another home match as they welcome Valparaiso to town. First serve with the Beacons is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Knapp Center.
