CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Northern Iowa volleyball will host Illinois State in a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinal matchup Friday at 6 p.m. CT. The Panthers, the tournament’s top seed, advanced directly to the semifinals, while the Redbirds defeated UIC in a five-set opening round contest Wednesday afternoon.
UNI finished the regular season with a 13-15 overall record and an 8-8 conference mark, earning them the No. 1 seed and hosting rights. Illinois State tied for fifth in the MVC with an 8-8 league record,improving to 13-15 overall with their opening round victory. the winner will advance to the MVC Championship game on Tuesday, Nov. 25,against either Drake or Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa is led offensively by Carly spangler, who averages 4.6 kills per set and has recorded ten or more kills in 23 matches this year, including four with 20-plus kills. Kaylee Dykstra contributes consistently, posting eight or more kills in 26 of 28 matches and ranking third in the MVC with four kills per frame. Reese Booth directs the Panther offense with 6.2 assists per set, while Lydia Petersen anchors the back row with 4.4 digs per frame and a team-high 24 service aces. At the net, Emma Bixby leads UNI with 104 blocks, followed by Amya Oldendorf with 78.
Illinois State is spearheaded by Khenedi Guest, a First Team All-MVC selection who leads the conference with 119 total blocks and averages 2.1 kills per set. audrey Clark has 22 service aces for the Redbirds, and Ella Craggs averages six assists per frame. Arianna Rossi paces the Illinois State defence with 4.5 digs per set.
Fans can follow UNI volleyball action on Facebook (@UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball), and Instagram (@univolleyball), and find the full schedule and roster at UNIpanthers.com.
