Cedar Falls, Iowa ? After sprinting out to a two-set lead, the Kansas University volleyball team couldn’t hold on against No. 15 Northern Iowa and fell, 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 8-25, 8-15, on Friday night at the Clarion Inn-vitational

In front of more than 1,600 fans at the McLeod Center, the back-to-back Missouri Valley Champions handed Kansas (6-1) its first loss of the season.

Senior outside hitter Allison Mayfield finished just one kill short of a career-best performance with 20, including a dominating six-kill performance in the final seven points of the second set. Freshman outside hitter Sara McClinton registered her best night in the kill column, posting 10.

On the other side, UNI (8-0) received team-leading performances from middle blockers Shelby Kintzel, Michelle Burrow and Krista DeGeest. The three posted 39 of the Panthers’ 63 kills, 27 of which came in the last three sets.

The Jayhawks will continue play in the Clarion Invitational against No. 6 Minnesota at 10 a.m. today, before wrapping up play against St. Louis at 5 p.m.