PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team (16-5, 3-1 WIAC) put together a strong performance both offensively and defensively in a sweep of fourth-ranked UW-Eau Claire (13-5, 2-2 WIAC) on Friday night inside Williams Fieldhouse.
Senior
Bria Johnston recorded a 13-kill, 15-dig double-double to lead the efforts in the impressive win. Junior
Brooklyn Radecke (9 kills) and senior
Kennedy Wenger (8 kills) also had strong nights as the Pioneers totaled 42 kills as a team on a .214 hitting percentage.
UW-Platteville reached double-digit service aces for the third time in the past four games, finishing with 10, including a team-high four by junior
Kennedey Barber. Wenger added three aces, while Johnston also had a pair.
At the net, the Pioneers totaled nine blocks and got solo blocks from freshman Lauren Abott (2), Wenger, and Radecke. Wenger had a team-high three block assists, while junior
Abby Bauer, junior
Addison Albrecht, and Abbott each had multiple block assists.
Barber finished with 14 digs, joining Johnston in double figures. Junior
Ava Valentin had a team-leading 17 assists, while sophomore
Delali Amankwa tallied 15.
In the opening set, a kill and two service aces by Wenger helped jumpstart an 8-1 run that put the Pioneers ahead 9-2 in the early goings. The Blugolds cut the deficit down to four until back-to-back kills by Abbott increased the advantage back to six. Johnston had a pair of aces down the stretch and Radecke capped the dominant first set with a kill as UW-Platteville won 25-15.
The momentum carried over into the second set, as the Pioneers led 15-5 at the technical timeout. UW-Eau Claire tried to rally late with a five-point run, but a kill by Bauer and a Blugolds attack error ended the set with the Pioneers winning 25-16.
UW-Eau Claire jumped in front to begin the third set and led 9-4 until the Pioneers rattled off nine consecutive points to flip the score in their favor. Barber had four aces over that stretch, while Johnston pitched in with a trio of kills. UW-Platteville clung to a slight lead as the set continued and later led 24-20 following a kill by Wenger. The Blugolds scored three straight points to get back within one, but Johnston put a stamp on the sweep with a kill to win 25-23.
The Pioneers continue conference play next Wednesday at UW-Whitewater. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
