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Sept. 6, 2008

Final Stats

Cedar Falls, Iowa - Led by Ashten Stelken's 12 kills, the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team posted a sweep of Marquette University this afternoon at the UNI Invitational. The win improved UNI's mark to a perfect 5-0 on the season, and the Panthers have yet to drop a set in 2008, having won all five matches by 3-0 counts.

Stelken hit an impressive .588 (12-2-17) for the match, and also added three blocks. Michelle Burow and Shannon Aschoff each had nine kills for UNI, while Amy Sampson chipped in with eight. Libero Ellie Blankenship had a match-high 22 digs.

UNI jumped out to a 6-2 lead to start the match, with Burow having two kills and a block assist early on. The Panthers held a 13-7 lead before Marquette went on a 7-1 run to pull even at 14-all. Neither team led by more than two points after that, until UNI ended the set on a 4-0 run to win 25-20. Burow and Aschoff teamed up on a block on set point. Burow and Stelken each had four kills in set one, and Burow had four block assists.

The Panthers opened leads to 7-1, 10-3 and 19-9 in set two, with Stelken providing much of the offensive punch. The 6-3 senior had five kills and a block during the first half of the game, while Sampson had three kills. But Marquette came storming back behind Leslie Bielski and Ashlee Fisher, going on a 12-4 run to pull within 23-22. However, Marquette never tied the score, and the Panthers were able to grab the 25-23 win, with Sampson powering the ball down cross-court on set point.

Two kills from Aschoff helped UNI to an early 5-2 lead in set three. The Golden Eagles were able to pull even at 10-all, before the Panthers rattled off four straight points - including a solo block from Stelken - to pull in front 14-10 and force Marquette to take timeout. But UNI kept the pressure on, scoring seven of the next eight points to extend its advantage to 21-11, and was able to win the match with a 25-20 victory.

UNI is now 5-0 on the season, while Marquette falls to 1-4. The Panthers play their final match of the UNI Invitational later tonight, facing Clemson at 7:30 pm. in the tournament's championship match.