CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Top-seeded UNI powered its way to a fourth-straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship on Tuesday night, sweeping Drake, 25–13, 25–23, 25–23, at the McLeod Center.

The Panthers claimed their 21st MVC Tournament title and became the 32nd No. 1 seed to win the event. It also marked the 20th time — and the first time since 2019 — that the championship match was decided in straight sets.

UNI came out blazing in the opening frame, hitting .250 while holding Drake to a -.030 mark and racing out to a 5–0 start. Cassidy Hartman and Lily Dykstra helped set the tone early, combining for nine kills as UNI cruised to a 25–13 win.

Drake pushed back in sets two and three, but UNI’s balance proved the difference. Hartman led all players with 10 kills on .533 hitting, while Maryn Bixby added nine kills and a team-high 14 points. Reese Booth steered the offense with 26 assists and added a match-high 10 digs for a double-double.

The Panthers’ block—six team stuffs on the night—slowed Drake’s attack in key moments, including match-point blocks in both the second and third sets to seal the sweep.

Kacia Brown paced Drake with 10 kills, while Macy Daufeldt added eight, but the Bulldogs were limited to .248 hitting and could not overcome UNI’s efficiency and first-ball siding-out.

2025 MVC Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Brooke Gilleland, Belmont
Antonie Kelnarova, UIC
Sam Warren, Valparaiso
Ruth Ziegler, Illinois State
Kacia Brown, Drake
Caroline Smith, Drake
Lily Dykstra, Northern Iowa
Jadyn Petersen, Northern Iowa
Cassidy Hartman, Northern Iowa, MVP
 
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