The Panthers’ volleyball season came to a halt this Friday as they fell to the Marquette Golden Eagles Friday. Making their 19th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Panthers were knocked off in a five-set thriller that ended their chance at the NCAA title.

After falling in the first set, 17-25, the Panthers were quick to come back in the second.

UNI opened with a 7-3 lead but was slowly overturned by a 10-11 deficit in the second set. The Panthers used their momentum to gain leverage in the set, taking 18-15. The Golden Eagles made strides to come back but were shut down with a Panther victory at 25-22.

Letting Marquette take a 17-3 lead in the third set, the Panthers couldn’t reverse the damages—ultimately falling, 11-25.

The third set loss gave UNI a 1-2 disadvantage as they entered the fourth set. Taking turns with the lead, the Panthers tied the set at 17-17 and 21-21. Junior Amie Held stepped up with two aces that earned UNI a 24-22 lead, resulting in a set-winning 25-23 victory.

The Panthers tied their last set of the season at 8-8. But after a short 9-8 lead, they allowed the Golden Eagles a seven-point run that ended the set, 9-15, and the match, 2-3.

As a reflection of their season, UNI was not quick to give up their shot at the NCAA title. Five Panthers notched double-figure kills with Kayla Haneline with 14, Bri Weber and Lindsey Schultz at 11 and Amie Held and Piper Thomas at 10.

In addition to their kill records, Amie Held recorded 25 digs, while Ashlee Sinnott and Kendyl Sorge followed her lead with 16 and 15 of their own, respectively.