JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team (16-9) picked up a pair of sweeps on Saturday afternoon against Monmouth (Ill.) (9-13) and Illinois College (9-16). The matches were hosted by Illinois College inside Sherman Gymnasium in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Match One
Monmouth raced out to an early five-point lead in the first set, but a five-point run highlighted by kills from senior Kierney McDonald and sophomore Brooklyn Radecke tied the set. The two teams traded points until a service error and a kill by Radecke clinched a 26-24 Pioneers win.

An 8-2 run midway through the second set helped UW-Platteville get out to a 19-12 advantage. The Scots were unable to cut into the lead as back-to-back kills from McDonald saw the Pioneers take set two, 25-15.

The third set was closer until UW-Platteville rattled off four straight points to win 25-18 and secure the sweep. Two kills from sophomore Abby Bauer, a block by McDonald, and a kill by senior Gracie Gibbens put a stamp on the win.

Bauer had a team-high 14 kills, while Radecke joined her in double figures with 11. McDonald and junior Kennedy Wenger each pitched in with nine as the Pioneers totaled 49 kills as a team on a .306 hitting percentage.

Senior Kelsey Ewert led the team with 22 digs, while Radecke and Bauer each added 10 to record double-doubles. Gibbens finished with 36 assists, and McDonald was a force at the net with five solo blocks and two block assists.

Match Two
In the opening set against Illinois College, neither team was able to build up much of a lead and set entered extra points after being tied at 25. An attack error and a kill by Wenger gave the Pioneers a 27-25 win.

UW-Platteville built up a seven-point lead in the second set and held off a late Lady Blues run to win 25-18. The Pioneers had a strong second set, hitting a match-best .270 with 12 kills. That momentum carried over early in the third set, but a five-point Illinois College run gave the hosts a two-point lead at 17-15. UW-Platteville regained the lead with a three-point swing and a kill from Bauer and an attack error wrapped up the sweep with a 25-22 win.

Bauer paced the team with 13 kills, while Radecke and McDonald tied for second on the team with seven each. The Pioneers finished with 39 kills as a team, while posting a .187 hitting percentage.

Freshman Delali Amankwa had a team-high 25 assists, while Ewert and Bauer led the way with 13 and 10 digs, respectively. The Pioneers finished with 12 service aces in the match, led by three apiece from Bauer, Radecke, and freshman Amina Maali.

Up Next
The Pioneers will travel to No. 4 UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday night for a WIAC contest. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.

*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.