CEDAR FALLS – The UNI volleyball team took on the Crusaders of Valparaiso in the MVC semifinal match in the McLeod Center on Friday night, the Panthers defeated the Crusaders 3-1 with set scores of 25-9, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17.
The Panthers opened the match with 6-1 run and carried the momentum to a dominant 25-9 opening set victory. The Panthers were able to while holding the Crusaders to a -.200 hitting percentage. The Panthers and Crusaders battled early in the second set, but the Panthers were able to come away with a tight 25-20 set win. The Crusaders took the third set by holding the Panthers to a below .200 and only committing 3 attack errors. The Panthers responded by running away with the fourth set 25-17.
Karlie Taylor led the offense recording 15 kills along with 14 digs. Kate Busswitz, Kaylissa Arndorfer and Inga Rotto each contributed with 11 kills respectively. Inga Rotto finished the night with the highest hitting percentage of .474, 11 for 19 in kills.
Rachel Koop totaled 50 assists, her second-highest stat in a four-set match, along with 14 digs. Abbi Staack also led the defense on the night, recording 18 digs.
The Panthers now advance to their 25th MVC Championship game, more than any other MVC program. Friday night’s victory marked Head Coach Bobbi Petersen’s 509th victory, tying her for the most in MVC history with Missouri State’s Melissa Stokes.
KEY STATS
- Karlie Taylor (2019 MVC Player of the Year) recorded her 23rd double-double of the season, finishing with 15 kills and 14 digs
- Rachel Koop (2019 MVC Setter of the Year) recorded 50 assists in the 4-set match, her second-highest mark in a four-set match.
- Inga Rotto finished with her 9th double-digit kill performance, tallying 11 kills while hitting .474
UP NEXT
The Panthers, now 24-9, will play in the MVC Championship Match on Saturday at 4 p.m. UNI will play the winner of the 7:30 pm semifinal match between #3 Illinois State and #2 Loyola. The championship match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
