CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa overcame late pressure from Drake to earn a 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference volleyball victory Thursday night at the McLeod Center.
The Panthers won 27-25, 25-13 and 28-26, improving to 5-0 in conference play without dropping a set against an MVC opponent this season.
Cassidy Hartman and Lily Dykstra led UNI with 17 kills apiece. Hartman added 15 digs for a double-double, while Dykstra recorded nine digs and two blocks.
UNI nearly surrendered a 22-14 lead during the opening set as Drake used a 7-1 run to force extra points. The Panthers recovered to secure the 27-25 win.
Northern Iowa dominated the second set behind four blocks from Maryn Bixby, building a 15-4 advantage before cruising to a 25-13 victory. The Panthers hit .412 in the frame.
Drake led 5-1 early in the third set and later earned consecutive set points, but UNI rallied for a 28-26 win to complete the sweep.
Reese Booth finished with 44 assists and 13 digs for her 11th consecutive double-double. Jadyn Petersen collected a match-high 22 digs, while Taryn Rice added 15.
The victory was UNI’s 11th straight over Drake and its 57th consecutive MVC regular-season win dating back to 2023. The Panthers also extended their home winning streak to 16 matches.