UNI opens the N-C-A-A volleyball tournament Friday in the Twin Cities against UC-Santa Barbara. The Panthers earned an automatic berth into the tournament after winning a sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference tournament title over the weekend and were hoping to host the first two rounds. Panther coach Bobbi Peterson says she’s just excited it’s close enough for fans to travel with them. She says they’re familiar with the arena, having played there before. UNI beat host Southwest Missouri State in the title match, which Becker says has given them good momentum heading into the tournament. UNI is 27-5 and 16th ranked nationally.
