June 7, 2005

The University of Northern Iowa volleyball team traveled overseas to play three matches in May, as a conclusion to spring practice. The Panthers concluded the trip with a 1-2 record.

A total of nine Panthers made the trip - Brittany Bakker, Kristin Belzung, Danielle Brazda, Patricia Dietz, Stephanie Germann, Trista Humpal, Stephanie May, Laura Rowen and Melissa Schmitz. Panther coaches Bobbi Petersen, Kalani Mahi and Kim Davis also traveled with the team.

The Panthers dropped their first match by a tight 3-2 score to Guaruja. Playing international rules (scoring to 25), UNI fell 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 17-25, 12-15. Guaruja was a tough team, with three players who formely played in Brazil's top professional league. UNI controlled the match statistically, hitting .263 (54-19-133) as a team. Laura Rowen led the team with 18 kills, while Danielle Brazda had 12 kills and zero hitting errors. Kristin Belzung, starting her first match as a Panther, had 54 assists. Outside of the West Gym, it was one of the loudest and most passionate crowds the Panthers have ever played in front of.

UNI swept its second match, 3-0, over Taubate City. The Panthers block was too much for Taubate to handle, as the Panthers averaged nine blocks per game, including stuffing the first seven points to start the match. The Panthers' offense was on fire, hitting .402 as a team (51-14-92). Trista Humpal had 13 kills and Brazda added 11.

In its third and final match, the Panthers once again dropped a close 3-2 decision, this time to Pioneiros U21. Scores were 25-21, 25-20, 25-27, 16-25, 14-16. As in their first match, UNI jumped to a 2-0 lead before the opposition roared back to claim a hard-fought victory. The Panthers held a 14-13 lead and served at match point in the fifth game, but Pioneiros was able to rattle off three straight points to earn the win. Humpal had 11 kills and Brazda 10 for UNI.

In addition to playing their three matches, the Panthers did have a chance to catch some of the sites. They visited Sugar Loaf Mountain, several beautiful local beaches, and took a tram ride through Tijuca Forest where they saw the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. In addition, they attended a Brazilian soccer match where they saw sixth-ranked Flamingo upset top-ranked Santos.

To view photos from the team's Brazilian trip, click on the "Brazil Photo Gallery" on the right-hand side of the main volleyball page.