CEDAR FALLS - Last weekend, the University of Northern Iowa volleyball team took on a pair of opponents that may end up in the national Top 25 this season when the Panthers tangled with Western Michigan and Kentucky during the UNI Invitational.

This weekend when the Panthers (2-1) travel to the Molten Classic in Provo, Utah, they line up against three foes already recognized as elite teams on the national scene in American University, Wisconsin and Brigham Young.

Friday, American U. is the opponent, and largely the same team UNI saw when both participated in an NCAA Tournament regional at Nebraska last season.

"They faced Nebraska the first round and really gave Nebraska a great match. They even beat them one game," noted Panther head coach Bobbi Petersen. "They do not lose anybody off last year's team, so we know they're going to be a great team to compete against."

Saturday, UNI meets a pair of Top 25 opponents in No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 17 BYU.

"It's very difficult to compete in two matches in the same day, let alone when they're two ranked teams," said Petersen. "We are really going to be challenged Saturday, but it's something our kids are really looking forward to."

In general, Petersen likes challenging matches to help prepare UNI for the Missouri Valley Conference season.

"Our goal every year is to challenge our kids," she stated. "Sometimes when you're scheduling, some of it is timing. With the BYU tournament, we agreed to be in it before they knew who the final team would be, and it ended up being Wisconsin.

"But we're not going to back down from any challenge like that. It's good for us no matter what happens."

The UNI Invitational was a good warm-up for what's ahead, added Petersen, whose team returns home to host Iowa State Sept. 5 at McLeod Center. The Panthers swept a Western Michigan team that later dominated Kentucky, which then capped the tournament with a five-game victory over UNI.

"Kentucky is a great team," said Petersen. "We definitely had our opportunities to finish that match. I know our kids are frustrated a little bit for not closing it out.

"I think it was a real good learning experience for us. It was a chance for us to really see where we're at and measure some things. Having a five-game match, there's nothing more than that kind of pressure.

"That's a Kentucky team that I know you'll see for sure in the NCAA Tournament and possibly even ranked in the Top 25 this week."

WOMEN'S SOCCER: UNI won its exhibition opener Aug. 16 over Minnesota State-Mankato, 3-1, then had its second practice game against Wartburg postponed until Monday night.

The Panthers kick off the regular season with a road trip to South Dakota State and North Dakota State for games Friday and Sunday, respectively.

Coach Kathy Kakoyianni-Bering said Jackie Gielau, last year's leading scorer, is still recovering from the broken leg she suffered a year ago.

"We're kind of taking her day by day right now," said Kakoyianni-Bering. "We're still waiting to hear from the doctors whether or not she'll be playing this season."

Contact Doug Newhoff at (319) 291-1467 or doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com