PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – In a commanding display inside Williams Fieldhouse Wednesday night, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team (14-8, 3-1) delivered a stunning sweep (26-24, 26-24, 25-9) over No. 4 nationally ranked UW-Whitewater (19-3, 2-2).  

The victory marks the first win over the Warhawks since 2016  for the Pioneers and the first sweep in over 30 years. It is also the first time any WIAC opponent has swept UW-Whitewater since September of 2023.

Prior to the match, the team recognized senior Kierney McDonald on reaching the 1,000 career kills benchmark over the past weekend. The recognition was a precursor to the showcase which McDonald went on to pull off against the ranked opponent. McDonald finished with 17 kills behind a stellar .556 hitting percentage and added three solo blocks and three block assists.

Out of the gates, UW-Platteville was quick to set the tone with a 5-2 lead behind a few quick kills and a block from sophomore Abby Bauer, junior Kennedy Wenger, and McDonald. As expected, the Warhawks shook off the slow start and built to a 15-13 lead of their own until three-straight points from a block by Wenger and senior Makayla Mau and two kills by McDonald gave the Pioneers a one-point advantage. Knotted 24-24, a kill by Wenger followed by a huge block by McDonald and Mau put a stamp on the first set, 26-24.

In the second set, kills by Bauer, an ace from junior Bria Johnston and a kill from McDonald aided the Pioneers to taking another early lead, 6-2. UW-Platteville continued to chip away and built up to an 11-5 advantage. The Warhawks found a mid-set rhythm once again and strung together a 4-0 and a 5-0 run to tie the set 14-14. The teams battled back-and-forth until the Warhawks hit set-point 24-23 after three-straight. Digging deep, back-to-back blocks from Bauer and then McDonald and Mau forced set-point for the Pioneers and a kill by Bauer finished the second set, 26-24 once again.

After taking a two-set lead, McDonald and the Pioneers hit the accelerator and left the Warhawks in the dust. UW-Platteville jumped out to a 5-1 lead as McDonald dished out four kills. The Pioneers pushed the lead to 11-6 behind a kill by Bauer followed three straight errors from UW-Whitewater. It was clear from that moment on, the Pioneers had shut down the Warhawks and they closed the match on a 14-3 run. McDonald finished the set with 8 kills behind .667 hitting.

Bauer delivered eight kills on .222 hitting and added seven digs and both a solo block and block assist.

Senior Gracie Gibbens distributed 28 assists while senior Kelsey Ewert finished with a team-high eight digs.

The Pioneers finished the night hitting .211 as a team and held the Warhawks to a near season-low .074 hitting percentage.

UW-Platteville will return to action next Wednesday, Oct. 22 when they travel to No. 3 UW-Oshkosh for a 7 p.m. match.
 

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a free ice cream cone (with purchase) the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering a free churro (with purchase) the day after each Pioneer win.