Oct. 16, 2007

Box Score

The Mavericks of the University of Nebraska-Omaha invaded Dorman Gym on Tuesday night for the Peacocks final non-conference match of the season. Last year, the Mavericks had their way with the Peacocks winning in three as the Peacocks only managed 17, 15, and 13 points in the three games. Upper Iowa was determined and took the court ready to show the visitors how far they had come since last season. Upper Iowa fought hard, and although they were swept by Nebraska-Omaha, the team gave themselves the opportunity to wins both games one and three.

Upper Iowa came out strong and led by Shea Meyermann's 4 kills in the first game were able to stay close to the perennially strong UNO team. The Peacocks dropped game one by the score of 30-24. UIU drove home 9 kills, but 8 errors held them back. The Mavericks took advantage with 12 kills and only 6 errors. They also picked up 4 service aces in the first game.

The Peacocks and Mavericks opened game two on an even pace through the first 16 points (8-8), but the visitors went on a 10-3 run to push their lead to seven points at 18-11. The ladies in blue were not able to recover from the run and fell at the end of game two by a 30-18 count.

Upper Iowa came out after the break with an attitude that is becoming more common in the young team. The took the court in game three and opened up the scoring with a 6-0 run. The Peacocks continued to hold their lead as the game moved forward. Upper Iowa led 14-11 before Nebraska-Omaha staked their claim to the lead with a 6-0 run of their own and push out to a 17-14 advantage. UIU hung tough and did not let the rally put them down and they were able to tie the game at 26-26.

The home team continued to battle. The Peacocks tied the game again at 28-28 and then took the lead 29-28 with a chance to take a game from the Mavericks. Three straight kills for Nebraska-Omaha stole the opportunity away from the Peacocks and gave the visitors the victory.

After the match, Coach Dave Jackson said, "The team played hard tonight. It is good to see that we are really improving every time out now and we are giving ourselves opportunties to win games against great teams. Our last three opponents; MSU Moorhead, Concordia-St. Paul, and Nebraska-Omaha, are very good programs. We need to continue to improve and play hard as we finish our conference season."

Beth Deutmeyer finished with 9 kills to lead the home squad thanks to 6 kills in the final game. Keely Jones racked up 8 kills, while Shea Meyermann had 6 and Kim Humpal recorded 5. Keri Vance set up the offense on the evening with 25 assists, while Meyermann and Vance paced the defense with 17 and 12 digs, respectively. Vance was a terror at the net as she picked up 7 blocks; Humpal and Deutmeyer each tallied 4.

Upper Iowa heads North this weekend for two Northern Sun Conference matches at UM, Crookston on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 5:00 p.m. and Bemidji State on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 3:00 p.m. Both matches are available for viewing at http://www.northernsun.tv.