The No. 5 University of Minnesota Duluth took on No. 21 Upper Iowa University on Friday evening. The Bulldogs fell to the Peacocks, 3-2, and now carry a 23-4 overall (16-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) record on the year, while UIU now holds a 20-7 overall (12-7 in the NSIC) record on the year.
 
UMD would swing at a .173 clip on the evening while accumulating 6 team blocks. UIU would swing at a .195 clip and amass 13 team blocks.
 
The Peacocks would open the scoring in the first set, dropping I one before the Bulldogs would counter with two of their own. The teams would go back and forth on points, trading blow for blow as neither team was able to gather momentum. UIU would find some ground and go on a 7-1 rally to gain a 15-8 lead before UMD was able to strike again. The Bulldogs would struggle to gain ground and fall in the first set, 25-19.
 
The second would see UMD drop in the first point, with UIU countering with three straight. The two teams would not bend, with neither team able to rattle off more than three points until the Peacocks were able to rattle off six straight and hop out a 15-7 lead. The Bulldogs would drop one in, but UIU would go on a 7-1 rally and gain an even bigger lead at 22-9. UMD would find a 8-1 run and gain momentum, cutting the lead down to six and bring the score to 23-17. The Peacocks were able to score two more to the Bulldogs one and finish the set, 25-18, taking a two set lead.
 
UIU would start the third set by scoring four straight. UMD was calm and would score three to the Peacocks one and cut down on the lead to just two. The squads would go back and forth, with neither team gaining more than a four point lead before the Bulldogs would floor nine to UIU's one and take a 15-11 lead. Again, the teams found themselves going back and forth, with UMD staying steady and able to finish out the third set, 25-18, and take one set.
 
The Peacocks and the Bulldogs would be evenly matched throughout the fourth set, with neither team wanting to break. The score saw neither team score more than two in a row, nor gain more than a one point lead, bringing the score to 5-5 before UIU would rally three off and take an 8-5 lead. UMD would cut the lead down to one, bring the score to 9-10 before the Peacocks were able to strike three straight and gain another gapped lead. The Bulldogs would chip at the lead, eventually getting within two before scoring three straight and gaining a 19-18 lead. UMD would going on two separate three point rallies and keep their foot on the gas, edging out UIU in the fourth set, 25-23.
 
The final set would see UMD hop out to an early 2-1 lead before UIU was able to rattle off five straight and take a 6-2 lead. The Peacocks were able to rally off another five point rally and gain an 11-3 lead before the Bulldogs were able to drop in a 4-1 rally and cut the lead down to five, but UIU was able to stay ahead ad close the fifth set out, 15-8.
 
Redshirt freshman setter Madison Gordon would finish with one assist, digging 10 along the way. Sophomore outside hitter Meredith Sutton would finish the evening with 15 kills, swinging at a .300 clip and blocking two with 12 digs. Junior outside hitter Kate Berg would drop in a match high 22 kills, digging 10 along the way. Senior defensive specialist Keena Seiffert would dig a match high 23, assisting on one and dropping in two aces. Senior setter Emily Balts would dish a match high 57 assists, digging 11 and blocking one. Senior middle blocker Abby Thor would drop in 14 kills, swinging at a .500 clip and blocking six on the night.
 
The Bulldogs take to the court, finishing out the NSIC regular season against No. 16 Winona State tomorrow at 2 PM.