The Creighton women’s volleyball team has now lost three straight matches after falling to University of Northern Iowa and Bradley University on the road this past weekend.
The Jays dropped their Nov. 11 match to one of the top teams in the country in No. 12 Northern Iowa, which improved to 27-1 and an undefeated 15-0 in Missouri Valley play.
The Panthers won in four sets 25-23, 20-25, 25-20 and 25-14.
The Jays led an always important first set 16-13 before UNI went on an 8-1 run, which saw them eventually close the set 25-23.
Creighton fought back with a solid performance in the second set to tie the match before the talented Panthers sealed the victory in sets three and four.
“I thought particularly in sets one and two it was two evenly-matched teams,” said Creighton head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. “We know we’re going to have to play great ball the entire match to beat a team like UNI, and for a good portion of the match (we) played at that level.”
Juniors middle blocker Heather Thorson and setter Megan Bober each had 12 kills to lead Creighton, while sophomore defensive specialist Julianne Mandolfo led all players with 24 digs.
Two-time MVC Player of the Year Bre Payton of UNI finished with a triple-double.
Looking to bounce back from the loss, the Jays traveled to Peoria, Ill. Nov. 12 to play Bradley. The Braves were fighting for a chance to receive an MVC Tournament bid.
Bradley came from behind in the first set to take a 27-25 decision, before as taking control of the second set 25-18.
Creighton fought back to win sets three and four to force a fifth set only to see Bradley take the match by winning the fifth set 15-10.
The loss dropped Creighton to 16-13 on the season, with an 11-6 record in conference play.
Despite their third loss in a row, many Jays players still believe in their chances of making it to the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive season.
This Saturday is the season finale at Drake University, followed quickly by the Missouri Valley Tournament over Thanksgiving.
“The Valley Tournament is very important for us to win to get into the NCAA Tournament,” said senior middle blocker Laurel Sanford. “We like our chances, but we also know that we will have to be playing some of our best ball both weekends.”
Despite the disappointing weekend for the Jays, the Bradley match was of statistical and historical achievement for Bober. Her 12 kills, 31 assists and 12 digs earned her an MVC single-season record of eight triple-doubles.
The Jays will play their final game of the season on Nov. 19 at Drake University.
The MVC tournament kicks off Nov. 24 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.