The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Panther softball team is gearing up for an action-packed 2025 season, as head coach Ryan Jacobs officially announced the schedule on Tuesday afternoon. Entering its 52nd season of competition, the team will play a series of challenging matchups, including four Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) home series at the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex. The season will also feature the highly anticipated Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic and a late-season non-conference battle against Iowa State.
Season Opener: Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic
The Panthers will kick off their season at home with the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, running from February 7-9. The opening day will see UNI face North Dakota and Omaha, setting the tone for an intense weekend of competition. February 8 will feature games against Loyola and North Dakota, with the tournament concluding on February 9 as UNI takes on Omaha once again.
Following the UNI-Dome Classic, the Panthers will be on an extensive 17-game road trip, testing their skills against top-tier non-conference opponents. The journey begins on February 19 at Eastern Kentucky before heading to Furman for matchups against Morehead State, Holy Cross, and Austin Peay from February 21-23.
Panther Vs. Doc Halverson (image via Getty)Non-Conference Challenges and Extended Road Stint
UNI’s challenging non-conference schedule continues with a game at Wofford on February 25, followed by contests against Ohio, Lipscomb, and Ball State between February 28 and March 2. The Panthers will wrap up this demanding road stretch with games against Nebraska, Northern Colorado, and South Dakota State from March 7-9.
Conference Play and Exciting Home Series
Missouri Valley Conference action begins on the road as UNI travels to Evansville from March 14-16 and UIC from March 21-23. Before their home opener, the Panthers will also play a mid-week game at Illinois on March 25.
Fans will get their first chance to see UNI at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex when the Panthers host Bradley from March 28-30. A crucial in-state matchup follows on April 1 when UNI faces Drake at home.
After their home opener, the Panthers will hit the road again for a three-game series against Missouri State from April 4-6 and another contest at Drake on April 8. The remainder of April features four consecutive home series, including matchups against Murray State (April 11-13), Drake (April 15), Southern Illinois (April 18-20), and Iowa State (April 22) for a non-conference showdown.
Closing Out the Regular Season and Postseason Aspirations
As the regular season winds down, UNI will travel to Illinois State for a three-game series from April 25-27. The Panthers will then face Iowa in a non-conference road game on April 30 before concluding the season with a home series against Valparaiso from May 2-4.
The Panthers will then shift their focus to the MVC Tournament, hosted by Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, from May 7-10. With a competitive schedule ahead, UNI aims to make a deep run in the tournament and strengthen its postseason resume.
Stay Connected with UNI Panther Softball
Etruesports is dedicated to delivering in-depth coverage of UNI Panther softball, ensuring fans stay up-to-date with the latest news, game recaps, and player highlights. As the 2025 season unfolds, expect detailed insights and exclusive coverage of all the major moments throughout the year.
Fans can follow UNI Panther softball on social media for real-time updates via Facebook (UNI Softball), X (@UNISoftball), and Instagram (@unisoftball). Additionally, the full schedule, team roster, and more can be found on UNIpanthers.com. Stay tuned to Etruesports for continued analysis and game breakdowns as the season progresses.
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