Panthers clinch outright MVC title

The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team clinched the Missouri Valley Conference Championship by handing Wichita State University and Missouri State University their first home losses of the season this past weekend. This was their first regular season title since 2006.  UNI has secured their top spot in the conference with a 26-2 overall record and 16-0 in conference play heading into the final weekend. 

Against Missouri State, No. 22 UNI had five players total at least eight kills to keep the Bears defense off guard and allow the Panthers to earn the sweep on the road.  Senior captain Shannon Aschoff led the way for the Panthers with 12 kills. Bre Payton, Amy Braun and Michelle Burow all added nine kills, while Krista DeGeest stepped up with eight kills. Ellie Blankenship and Braun reached double figures with 16 and 15 digs, respectively. Payton also added a game high 34 assists. 

The Panthers and the Shockers again played all five sets with the Panthers coming through with a clutch win. UNI pulled off an epic battle against the Shockers earlier in the season at home and this time pulled out a huge win at Wichita State. The Panthers won by scores of 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 20-25 and 15-9. Against the Shockers, UNI used the balanced attack they have used all season to beat the veteran and defending conference champs. Wichita State has been the only team to force a five-set match against the Panthers in conference play so far. 

Braun had another impressive game with 12 kills and 14 digs. Payton posted her fifth triple-double of the season with 36 assists, 16 digs and 11 kills. Aschoff also added 11 kills while Burow and Beth Discher posted nine and eight kills, respectively. The Panther defense did a great job limiting one of the best players in the conference, Emily Stockman, to only 12 kills. The back row had a strong night led by Blankenship as always with 20 digs. Chelsea Saunders also came up big with 15 digs of her own. Burow also added five blocks at the net to help slow down Stockman. 

The Panthers can finish their conference season with a perfect 18-0 in MVC play with two remaining home games against Creighton University and Drake University this weekend. This would be the first time the Panthers finished the conference schedule unblemished since 2000. By winning the MVC Conference title UNI secured the top seed in the conference tournament, which is held in Omaha, Neb., Nov. 26, 27 and 28. 
 

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