DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team improved to 10-4 Wednesday night after defeating Loras College in five sets inside Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center. Following four close sets, the Pioneers took the fifth 15-4 behind a .500 hitting percentage in the final set.
Leading up to the final set, both teams each won a set 25-21 and 25-23, but it would be 11 kills and .500 hitting in the fifth set which locked down the win over the Duhawks who fell to 6-11 overall.
Senior
Kennedy Wenger had a stellar night, hitting .448 with 16 kills and five blocks. Three teammates joined Wenger in double-digit territory including freshman
Lauren Abbott (11), junior
Grace Rohde (11), and junior
Brooklyn Radecke (10).
Sophomore
Delali Amankwa wrapped up the match with 33 assists while junior
Kennedey Barber had a team-best 22 digs.
After Loras used a couple of late runs to take the first set 25-21, the Pioneers answered with a 9-1 run late in the second set to win 25-21 and tie the match.
Leading 24-23 in the third set, it was Abbott with the kill which gave the Pioneers the win to pull ahead by one set. Unfortunately, Loras would have the final word in the fourth set and locked down a 25-23 win of their own to force the final set.
It was all Pioneers from that point on though, and UW-Platteville scored 11-straight points to kick off the fifth set, including three kills from Wenger and two from Radecke.
Up next, UW-Platteville travels up to UW-River Falls on Friday for a WIAC match starting at 7 p.m.
