Indiana State University Athletics

Match 15 at (RV) Northern Iowa
Match 15: Northern Iowa	Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | Cedar Falls, Iowa | UNIDome
	TV/Video: ESPN3 | Radio (UNI Broadcast) | Live Stats | Purchase Tickets
Full Match Notes	Indiana State | Northern Iowa
Series History	Northern Iowa: Northern Iowa leads, 60-4 | Last match: UNI won, 3-0, on 11/4/2017 | Streak: Lost 5
Social Media	@IndStVB | #MarchOn | Facebook | @IndStVB | YouTube

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – There is no rest for the weary. Indiana State, after a pair of home matches on Friday and Saturday, will now make the six-plus hour drive to Iowa for a Monday evening match against a Northern Iowa program that not only had Saturday off but has also been receiving votes in the top 25 poll all season long.
 
Not an easy challenge for the Sycamores. And if that wasn't tough enough, ISU will have to make history if it wants to avoid its first 0-3 start in Missouri Valley Conference play since 2001. That is because the Sycamores have never won in Cedar Falls, Iowa, home of the Panther program.
 
The two programs' nearly identical record can be a bit deceiving when it comes to UNI (7-6, 1-0). Northern Iowa has the 10^th toughest schedule in the country and has played five matches against ranked opponents, posting a 2-3 mark.
 
Meanwhile Indiana State (7-7, 0-2) is looking to get back on track after dropping a pair of contests at home to Valparaiso and Loyola Chicago.
 
OPENING SERVE
Monday, Monday, can´t trust that day. Quite the challenge awaits the Sycamores Monday evening as Indiana State plays at Northern Iowa with a 7 p.m. ET first serve on ESPN3 (The Valley on ESPN). The host Panthers, currently receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 Poll, get the benefit of a home court advantage, not having to travel and getting an off day on Saturday.
 
QUICK HITS
• Indiana State hits the road for a three-match conference road swing beginning with Northern Iowa on Monday evening.
• Not just looking for its first conference win, Indiana State is looking for its first win ever in Cedar Falls.
• The Sycamores are looking to avoid an 0-3 start in Valley play for the first time since 2010.
• ISU is looking to win its conference road opener for the first time since 2001, a 3-2 win at Drake.
• Damadj Johnson is 53rd nationally and leads the Missouri Valley Conference with 54 total blocks this season.
• Makayla Knoblauch is ranked 53rd nationally and third in the Valley with 456 total assists entering this weekend.
• Laura Gross ranks 62nd nationally with 483 total attacks.
• The 2018 campaign marks the second season for the Sycamores under the direction of Lindsay Allman.
 
GOOD ROAD JUJU IN THE VALLEY
Maybe being on the road won't be such a bad thing. So far this season, every Missouri Valley Conference league match has been won by the road team.
 
HISTORY NOT ON OUR SIDE
Northern Iowa, a program that is usually among nationally-ranked teams, has traditionally been a thorn in the side of the Sycamores. ISU trails UNI, 60-4, in the all-time series and the Sycamores are looking to claim a first Monday evening - winning in Cedar Falls.  
 
VALLEY ROAD OPENER
After opening Missouri Valley Conference play at home, Indiana State now hits the road for its first road conference match of the year. The Sycamores are looking to upend a recent streak and win their first conference road opener since 2001 when ISU takes on Northern Iowa Monday night.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Northern Iowa: Don't let the record fool you. Just because the Panthers are 7-6 doesn't mean these aren't the Panthers of old. UNI has faced five ranked opponents this season and has posted a 2-3 mark against those teams, including a 3-0 win over No. 13 Creighton and a 3-2 win over No. 5 Kentucky. UNI has won five of its last seven matches with the only losses in that stretch coming against a pair of top-10 opponents.
 
Northern Iowa ranks 32nd nationally in digs per set (16.86) and 31st nationally in assists per set (13.10), leading the Valley in both categories. Karlie Taylor is eighth in the nation in kills per set (4.74) and 11th nationally in points per set (5.11) while Rachel Koop's 11.00 assists per set ranks 27th nationally.

D-FENSE
Damadj "D" Johnson is a tall task to face at the net. She may only stand at 6-0 but is seemingly a brick wall. The junior continues to be one of the leaders at the net for the Sycamores and is among the best in the Valley, and nation, at doing so. D enters the week ranked 53rd nationally and first in the Valley with 54 total blocks this season.
 
Additionally, D is quickly climbing the charts in Indiana State's record book. She enters the week ranked seventh all-time at ISU with 240 block assists and her 280 career total blocks have her tied with Stephanie Volden (2006-09) for ninth-most in school history. (see page 6).
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.