Nov. 3, 2006

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Cedar Falls, Iowa - Laura Rowen (Hansell, Iowa) had a match-high 17 kills to lead the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Drake Friday night at the West Gym. Game scores were 30-11, 30-13 and 30-22.

With the win, UNI improves to 20-7 on the season (12-2 Missouri Valley Conference), marking the ninth straight season the Panthers have won at least 20 matches. Drake falls to 5-19 overall, 2-11 in conference.

Trista Humpal (New Hampton, Iowa) had 11 kills for UNI and Amy Sampson (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) added 10. Senior libero Stephanie May (Dubuque, Iowa) had a match-high 13 digs for the Panthers, and needs 13 more to become UNI's all-time leader in that category.

UNI jumped out quickly in the first game and never looked back. Rowen and Humpal each had three early kills as the Panthers built leads of 5-1, 11-5, 14-6 and 22-8 en route to a 30-11 win. UNI hit .586 (19-2-29) in the first game, while Drake hit -0.30 (6-7-33). The Panthers carried their momentum into game two, jumping to a 13-2 lead and cruising to a 30-13 win. UNI once again clicked offensively, hitting .571 (22-2-35) in the second game.

Game three was a one-point affair as late as 18-17, with UNI holding the one point advantage. But that Kristin Belzung (Ankeny, Iowa) sparked a 7-0 run by the Panthers with three service aces during that stretch, to give UNI a 25-17 edge. UNI eventually won, 30-22.

UNI hit .434 (58-12-106) for the match, its second-highest percentage of the season, while holding Drake to .083 (24-16-96) hitting. The Panthers also won the battle of digs (45-29) and blocks (9-1).

The Panthers next match is tomorrow night (Nov. 4), when Creighton comes to the West Gym. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. After tomorrow's match, UNI will have a closing ceremony for the West Gym, the team's home since 1980.