The Panthers moved to 8-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play on Saturday as they swept the Drake Bulldogs in three sets, recording a .438 hitting percentage in the second set win.

UNI took an early 7-5 lead before the Bulldogs scored four straight points, taking a 9-7 lead midway through the first set. Kinsey Caldwell came out and did more than just set, knotting two kills early in the first set and racking up seven kills in the first two sets.

Down 15-14, Leigh Pudwill tied the set and sparked a UNI run where the Panthers scored four straight to take a lead that would stand the rest of the way. Pudwill finished with a team-high 11 kills.

The Panthers jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the second set, forcing a Drake timeout to attempt to stop the UNI attack. The attempt proved fruitless as the Panthers continued to dominate the set, scoring six straight to take a 22-10 lead. Caldwell closed out the set on another kill, giving UNI a 25-13 win.

UNI looked like they were going to run away with the third set early, scoring six straight once again and taking a 14-9 lead before forcing another Drake timeout.

Drake recovered after the timeout and pulled within two before eventually knotting the set at 21. Kayla Haneline’s kill with the score at 24-23 gave the Panthers a 25-23 set win, completing their seventh sweep of the season.

UNI will continue play on Friday as they take on MVC second place holder Missouri State before playing Wichita State on Saturday.