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University of Northern Iowa head women's volleyball coach Bobbi Petersen has agreed to a new contract through 2018, in an agreement announced today by UNI Director of Athletics Troy Dannen.

"We are thrilled to be able to announce this deal," Dannen said. "Bobbi is one of the top volleyball coaches in the nation, and her competitive record speaks for itself. But, even more importantly, she is a great leader and role model for young women not only in her program, but also for the young women across our campus, and throughout the entire Cedar Valley community. Bobbi is a great asset to the University of Northern Iowa, and we look forward to continued successes for our volleyball program, and the student-athletes in that program, with her at the helm."

"I appreciate this opportunity to continue being a part of UNI volleyball and UNI athletics," Petersen said. "The University of Northern Iowa and the Cedar Valley is a special place to me and I truly feel we have some of the best fans in the country. I am thankful that Troy and Jean (Berger) and the rest of our administration have the confidence in our staff to lead this program over the next several years. I am excited and look forward to continuing to work with amazing young women, the University, and the community."

Peterson has guided the Panthers to a mark of 259-73 in her 10 seasons as the UNI head coach. UNI has won four Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, six MVC tournament crowns and reached the Sweet 16 on two occasions during Petersen's reign. She ranks No. 8 in the nation active Division I coaches in winning percentage (.780), with the Panthers winning 20 or more matches in nine of her 10 seasons as head coach.

During her tenure as head coach, Petersen has helped 27 student-athletes earn first-team All-MVC honors, including coaching four conference players of the year - including Bre Payton in 2009. She has also placed at least one student-athlete on the league's all-freshman team in each of the past six seasons - including 2009 MVC Freshman of the Year Amy Braun. In addition, she has helped six athletes earn AVCA All-District honors including Payton and Ellie Blankenship, who each nabbed honors in 2009.

Academically, the Panthers have shined under Petersen's guidance as well. A total of 20 players have earned first-team MVC Scholar-Athlete honors during her time as the UNI head coach.

In 2009, Peterson led UNI to a perfect 18-0 record in the Missouri Valley Conference regular season schedule. The Panthers finished with their fifth perfect season in MVC play. UNI also ran the table in 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

The Panthers then captured the MVC tournament crown and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. UNI's 14 MVC Tournament Championships matches the number of titles by the rest of the league combined. Illinois State has nine titles, Missouri State has four and Wichita State has won once. UNI has won six league titles with Petersen at the helm of the program.

UNI posted a 31-3 record in 2009, which included a run of 29 straight victories. UNI defeated Washington State in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. UNI has won seven of its last nine first-round matches in NCAA Tournament play.

Petersen was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2009. It is the second time Petersen has claimed the award, also earning the honor in 2006.

This past season also saw the Panthers set their home attendance record with 6,126 fans packed into the McLeod Center to watch UNI take on the Iowa State Cyclones.