CEDAR FALLS — A former Dike-New Hartford volleyball standout who helped bring home three state championships is making her presence felt at the college net, earning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for UNI Panther volleyball.
Maryn Bixby, a junior middle blocker from Dike, received the award Monday, September 14, after collecting 12 blocks during the Rice Invitational in Houston. The recognition follows an early-season injury that sidelined her for the Panthers’ first four matches.
Bixby (pictured at top via UNI Athletics) delivered a season-high seven blocks in UNI’s four-set battle against No. 15 Creighton to open the tournament.
She followed that performance with five blocks in Saturday’s sweep of host Rice, including a career-best three solo blocks. The Panthers closed their demanding weekend against No. 5 Louisville.
Despite missing those first four matches, Bixby is already tied for third on the team with 19 blocks. UNI’s 76 total blocks lead the MVC.
For Northern Iowa fans who followed her high school career, Bixby’s success comes with a familiar championship pedigree.
At Dike-New Hartford, she was a four-year volleyball letter winner and helped the Wolverines win Class 2A state titles in 2020, 2021 and 2023, along with a runner-up finish in 2022. She earned three All-North Iowa Cedar League selections and a spot on the 2023 state all-tournament team.
Her high school accomplishments extended beyond volleyball. Bixby also helped Dike-New Hartford win four consecutive state basketball championships from 2021 through 2024 and earned all-state recognition in golf.
After redshirting at UNI in 2024, Bixby started all 32 matches in 2025. She led the Panthers with 119 blocks, recorded 203 kills and set a UNI freshman record with a .337 hitting percentage, earning first-team All-MVC and MVC All-Freshmen Team honors. Her background and career statistics are detailed in her UNI player biography.
Monday’s award is her first weekly conference honor this season and fourth overall, following three MVC Freshman of the Week selections in 2025. UNI has now received at least one conference weekly award in each of the opening three weeks of the 2026 season.
Valparaiso’s Ava Helming earned MVC Player of the Week, while Drake’s Jasmine Dulan was selected Libero of the Week.
Bixby and the Panthers now return to Cedar Falls for their first home matches of the season, hosting Wichita State at the McLeod Center on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19.
Friday’s match begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. start Saturday. Both matches will be available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network at 106.5 FM Corn Country and 93.5 HD-2.
Tickets are available through the UNI Ticket Office or by calling 319-273-4849. Fans attending the home-opening weekend can receive free mini replica championship banners while supplies last.