Oct. 9, 2009

Box Score

The Peacock volleyball team, fresh off its first-ever Northern Sun Conference weekend road sweep, welcomed the #11 Mavericks of Minnesota State to Dorman Gym. The two teams met ten days ago in Mankato, Minnesota where the Mavericks earned a dominating three set sweep. Tonight in Fayette, the Peacocks and Mavericks locked up in a very good conference match. Minnesota State picked up wins in the first two sets, 25-20 and 25-18, but Upper Iowa earned a win in set three, 27-25. The Mavericks outlasted the Peacocks in set number four, 25-18, to take the match in four sets.

In the first set, the Mavericks hit an impressive .516 as they put down 18 kills while committing only 2 attack errors. The Peacocks only made 3 attack errors, but the home team had to work for their 9 kills with the same number of attempts, 31, as their guests.

In set number two, both offenses cooled a bit, but Minnesota State once again doubled Upper Iowa's kill total to pick up the seven-point set victory.

After the teams returned from the locker rooms, the Peacocks dug in to defend their home court. Upper Iowa trailed 24-21, but rallied to score six of the final seven points and pick up the 27-25 set win. UIU hit .265 for the set with 17 kills, while MSU hit .173 with 14 kills. The set win marked the second time the Peacocks have claimed a set in their seven matches against ranked opponents this season.

The Mavericks remained steady in the fourth set and for the third straight set killed 14 balls. The Peacocks were not able to keep pace with the visitors and were only able to rack up 11 kills. Minnesota State earned the match victory with the fourth set 25-18 win.

For the match, the Mavericks hit .278 with 60 kills, while the Peacock offense registered a .180 hitting percentage with 44 kills. Minnesota State's defense was the difference as they tallied 70 digs and 11 team blocks which frustrated the Upper Iowa offense.

The Peacocks were led by Shea Meyermann (13 kills, 9 digs), Nicky Brown (12 kills, 9 digs), Keri Vance (34 assists), Kayla Wagner (8 kills, 5 blocks), Sara Vance (6 kills, 12 digs), and Danielle Gernes (12 digs).

The Mavericks were led by Chelsea Fogarty (19 kills, 8 digs), Ally Kwikkel (17 kills), Amanda Beekman (14 kills, 10 digs), Brittany Stamer (52 assists), Alli Rice (18 digs), and Amanda Thompson (7 blocks).

Upper Iowa will return to Dorman Gym and Prochaska Court tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. for a NSIC match with #14 Southwest Minnesota State. This will mark the first and only meeting between the Peacocks and the Mustangs this season.