CEDAR FALLS, Iowa ? Preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite Northern Iowa showed why it was picked to win the regular-season Valley title, sweeping the Braves 30-23, 30-20, 30-19 Saturday night at the McLeod Center.

The Panthers (8-8 overall, 3-2 MVC) used a well balanced attack, hitting .252 as a team, while limiting the Braves to an .090 attack percentage. 

Senior Nikki Pierzchala (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview) led the Braves (1-15 overall, 0-5 MVC) offensively with eight kills and also added eight digs.  Fellow senior Jenna Harrison (Edwardsville, Ill./Metro East Lutheran) chipped in with seven kills and hit at .429 clip.  Sophomore Kaitlyn Comiskey (Crystal Lake, Ill./South) paced the Braves defensively with 15 digs.  Junior Sam Black (Atalissa, Iowa/West Liberty) took over the primary setting duties and finished with 20 assists and nine digs.

Laura Rowen led UNI with 12 kills to go along with 13 digs and two service aces.  Rowen also attacked at a .321 clip.  Danielle Brazda added 11 kills and Amy Sampson chipped in with 10 kills. 

Bradley returns to action Friday when the Braves play host to I-74 rival Illinois State at 7 p.m. at Robertson Memorial Field House.