OMAHA, Neb. – The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team concluded competition at the Bluejay Invitational Sunday with a loss to No. 18 Creighton, falling to the Bluejays after a strong showing from both sides. Despite the defeat, several Panthers delivered standout performances throughout the tournament.
UNI‘s record against Creighton now stands at 42-17 all-time, though the Bluejays have won the last eight meetings between the two programs. This loss also brings the Panthers’ overall record against AVCA top-25 ranked opponents to 25-97. Their last victory against a top-25 team was in 2018 against No. 5 Kentucky. the result underscores the challenge of competing against nationally ranked programs and highlights UNI’s ongoing pursuit of such wins as they build toward the 2025 season.
Cara Cresse of Louisville was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, leading a Bluejay-dominated all-Tournament Team.Joining Cresse were teammates Kalyssa Blackshear and Payton Petersen. Creighton’s Annalea Maeder and Ava Martin also earned All-Tournament honors, alongside UNI’s Lily Dykstra and rice’s Savannah Skopal.
Dykstra continued her remarkable start to the season, recording nine or more kills in all nine matches played, extending a streak that began in the 2024 NCAA Tournament to ten consecutive outings. Cassidy Hartman also contributed substantially, reaching double-digit kills for the 13th time in her career and the sixth time this season.
UNI will next compete at the capital Credit Union Classic in Wisconsin, facing Tennessee Tech, Western Michigan, and Green Bay to complete their non-conference schedule. Fans can follow UNI volleyball updates on Facebook (@UNIPantherVolleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball), and Instagram (@univolleyball), with complete details available at UNIpanthers.com.
