SPORTS

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 delivered a season-high seven blocks in UNI’s four-set battle against No. 15 Creighton to open the tournament.

IOWA CITY — No. 25 Iowa Hawkeye soccer was forced to play most of Sunday’s Big Ten battle with only 10 players, but the Hawkeyes refused to crack, fighting Nebraska to a scoreless draw at the Iowa Soccer Complex.

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS — The second-ranked Iowa Hawkeye field hockey team kept its perfect start rolling Sunday, using a pair of two-goal performances to knock off No. 14 Louisville, 4-2, at Lakeside Field.

HOUSTON, TEXAS — UNI Panther volleyball ran into one of the nation’s toughest teams Sunday, and No. 5 Louisville used a dominant blocking performance to sweep Northern Iowa in the Panthers’ final match of the Rice Invitational.

Louisville defeated UNI 25-11, 25-17 and 25-23 at Tudor Fieldhouse.

HOUSTON, TEXAS — UNI Panther volleyball found its offensive rhythm Saturday afternoon, pounding out 50 kills and hitting a season-best .310 as Northern Iowa swept Rice in straight sets for its first true road victory of the 2026 season.

The Panthers defeated the Owls 25-18, 25-20 and 25-23 at Tudor Fieldhouse during their second match of the Rice Invitational.