Where: McLeod Center

When: 7 p.m. today

Series: UNI is 21-7-1 all-time against Western Illinois.

Radio: KWLO (1330 AM)

Last time out: UNI captured the title at the Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Bash, including wins over Ohio and Middle Tennessee State, who were receiving top 25 votes. The Panthers also defeated Northern Illinois in the tournament. Western Illinois is coming off a 1-2 showing at the DePaul Invitational with a five set win over DePaul serving as its lone victory.

Notes: Coming off a strong performance in its second tournament of the season, UNI continues to see plenty of production from its two sophomore starters. Middle blocker Michelle Burow is leading the Panthers with 2.38 kills per set and is hitting at a .312 efficiency. Setter Bre Payton is averaging just under two kills per set while dishing out an average of 9.12 assists. Payton, a Waterloo Columbus grad, isn't the only former metro prep seeing court time for the Panthers this season. Waterloo East's Candice Burke has played as a defensive specialist in 19 of the team's 26 sets and is averaging 1.32 digs. … UNI's defense has been strong this season, holding opponents to a .140 hitting efficiency. That doesn't bode well for Western Illinois, which enters the match hitting at a .195 clip. The Leathernecks' attack is led by Allison Gilbert's average of 3.06 kills per set. Megan Toczek is second with 2.4 kills.

- Compiled by Sports Writer Nick Petaros