PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley Volleyball split its first Missouri Valley Conference home weekend of the season, falling to UNI in straight sets on Friday before rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat Drake in five sets on Saturday. The Braves moved to 8-8 overall and 3-1 in MVC play.
Match One – UNI
Bradley fell to reigning MVC champion UNI, 25-15, 25-20, 25-22, on Friday night at Renaissance Coliseum. The Braves totaled 19 kills, 45 digs, five service aces and 15 blocks in the match.
Gracie Furlong led Bradley with six kills and seven digs, while Cherlin Antonio added five kills and six blocks. Adeline Goedheer recorded a match-high 11 blocks, including four solo blocks, while Chloe Parker added four kills, four blocks and two service aces. Eirini Bitsaktsi led the Braves with 14 digs, and Hayden Booth finished with 15 assists and nine digs.
Match Two – Drake
Bradley closed the weekend with a comeback victory over Drake, erasing a 2-0 deficit to win 21-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-21, 16-14 on Saturday. The Braves totaled 66 kills, 90 digs and 10 blocks, hitting .321 with 20 kills in the fourth set. The victory improved Bradley to 3-1 in Valley play.
Furlong powered the Bradley offense with 22 kills while hitting .246 and added 14 digs for a double-double. Antonio finished with 12 kills, while Parker added 11 kills on a .292 hitting percentage. Maren Ouellette contributed eight kills, and Goedheer added seven kills and a team-high seven blocks.
Maria Drapp returned to the lineup and recorded 52 assists and 20 digs, while Bitsaktsi led the Braves with 30 digs. Ava Patchett added 13 digs as Bradley finished with four players in double figures defensively.
