DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras College Women's Volleyball team traveled up the road to the University of Dubuque on Friday to take on a pair of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opponents. In the first match, the Duhawks faced their fourth nationally ranked (AVCA) opponent of the year in No. 25 UW-Whitewater. After falling to the Warhawks 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-20), Loras faced off against UW-Platteville. The Duhawks fell in five sets as the Pioneers took back-to-back sets to take the match, 3-2 (13-25, 28-26, 19-25, 25-20, 15-11).

Loras held an 18-13 lead late in the opening set until the UW-Whitewater soared back to tie the score at 22. Looking to take an early match lead, a service error by the Warhawks and a kill from junior Kara Kentner put Loras ahead 24-22, forcing a UW-Whitewater timeout.

Moments after the timeout, the teams found themselves tied at 26, marking the ninth tie of the set. A block by the Warhawks gave them all the momentum they needed as they closed out the set 28-26 to take the 1-0 match lead.

In the second set, a 17-14 Loras lead quickly turned into a one-point deficit as UW-Whitewater rattled off four straight points. After an ace pushed the Duhawks' deficit to two, 21-19, head coach Jenna Ness called a timeout.

Unfortunately for Loras, the stoppage had little effect on the momentum of the Warhawks as they closed the match 4-2 run to take the set, 25-21.

An ace by sophomore Danni Kennedy tied the score at 15 in the third set before three consecutive kills put UW-Whitewater in front, 18-15. A kill by junior Taylor Serrano broke the Warhawk run temporarily but was followed by another trio of kills by the potent Warhawk attack. The 6-1 run brought about a Duhawk timeout with Loras trailing 21-16. From there, the upset bid would fall short as UW-Whitewater took the third and final set, 25-20.

After holding their own against UW-Whitewater, Loras' momentum spilled over to their next match. The Duhawks outhit UW-Platteville .520 to -.069 on their way to a 25-13 opening frame victory.

An early lead slipped away from the Duhawks in set two, as the Pioneers knotted the score at 22 to force a Loras timeout. Out of the timeout, the teams traded points until a kill by sophomore Danni Kennedy gave Loras the slim 25-24 edge.

With freshman Haley Bergan serving, a long rally ended in favor of the Pioneers to level the score at 25. That point proved pivotal as UW-Platteville went on to take the set, 28-26.

The Duhawks bounced back in the third set, never trailing on their way to a 25-19 win and a 2-1 match lead.

Late in the fourth set, five straight points by the Pioneers put the Duhawks down six, 22-16. After a Loras timeout, the Duhawks comeback would fall short as they fell, 25-20.

In the fifth and final set, the Duhawks early lead was erased as the Pioneers fought back to level the score at 10. A defensive miscue by Loras brought about another timeout. Unfortunately for the Duhawks, the pause failed to cut the momentum of the Pioneers as they won the set 15-11, and the match 3-2.

The Duhawks now stand at 11-15 on the season.