Des Moines, Iowa - The second road trip in league play for Bradley Volleyball (5-14, 1-6 MVC) wrapped up this weekend. Ultimately, the Braves would fall in both matches, first to Northern Iowa by a 3-0 score (18-25, 22-25, 17-25), then to Drake, also by a 3-0 score (25-27, 15-25, 11-25).
ABOUT THE NORTHERN IOWA MATCH
Northern Iowa got off to a quick start on Friday, firing off a match-best .364 hitting percentage. Bradley had their best attacking set in the first as well, with 11 kills and a .188 hitting percentage.
The Braves were able to out-dig the Panthers over the course of the match. A double-digit effort from
Serena Sparks (17 digs) and
Doga Topcicek (10 digs) paced the Braves' back row.
Front row play was perhaps the x-factor for Northern Iowa. The hosts lept up for 15 blocks, and perhaps as important, drew a +12 block advantage over Bradley.
Bradley did have a balanced attack from their front row, with Topcicek (8),
Abby Johnson (7), and
Kendall Minta (6) all a mere two kills apart.
ABOUT THE DRAKE MATCH
Bradley nearly pulled away with a first-set win against Drake on Saturday. The Braves were the first team to 5, 10, 15, and 20 points. The lead would get up to 22-18 on a kill from
Silan Demirkol.
Doga Topcicek had a kill to put the Braves on set point (24-20). Five kills and an ace were part of a late surge from the Bulldogs that turned into a 27-25 set win for Drake.
The Bulldogs had a much more comfortable first set, effectively flipping the script. Three kills and an ace had the Bulldogs up 10-3 early in the second. From there, Bradley was unable to claw back into the point spread, and the Bulldogs would take a 2-0 lead with a 10-poitn set win.
The theme of runs would continue in the third. Drake started off up 5-0. Bradley capitalized on a Drake attack error to reach double figures. At that point, Drake had 23 points, and they would also shut the door with a pair of kills to close out the sweep.
PINK OUT RENAISSANCE COLISEUM
The next match for the Braves, which is detailed below, features their annual "Pink Out" match. Bradley hosts Evansville next Friday at 6PM.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR THE BRAVES
vs. Evansville Purple Aces (6-14, 3-3 MVC)
Friday, October 14th, 2022 - 6:00 PM First Serve
@ Renaissance Coliseum - Peoria, Ill.
Watch Live (ESPN3; No Available Link Yet)
Live Stats
