PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras Women's Volleyball team found a way to harness the momentum inside Williams Fieldhouse on Wednesday night to spoil the home opener for UW-Platteville. Freshman Claire Ritchie finished with 13 kills and 11 assists to pace the Duhawks on the night.


The two teams split their meetings in 2014, with Platteville winning the final meeting in convincing fashion, 3-0. After their 3-1 start to the 2015 season, the Pioneers received votes in this week's AVCA Top-25 poll thanks to 3-1 win over No. 22 Cornell.


Wednesday's game saw plenty of high's and low's for both sides, but it was the Duhawks who effectively controlled the game for a large majority of time and benefited from multiple long runs, including four of five or more consecutive points. In a change of what they had seen a season ago, Loras displayed the depth of their roster with seven players finishing with at least one kill.


Defensively, sophomore Haley Bergan added 21 digs and received support from freshman Ali Clark (13 digs) and senior Liz Jendra (12 digs). In the middle, juniors Danni Kennedy and Therese Schultz combined for six total blocks, including two solo blocks.


KEY PLAYS
| Set 1 | LOR | Leading 12-10, Therese Schultz started her service rotation and Loras ripped off six unanswered points to take a commanding eight-point lead
| Set 1 | UWP | Trailing 20-14, the Pioneers benefited from two Loras attacking errors and two kills of their own to come within three points at 21-18
| Set 1 | UWP | Three attacking errors by Loras opened the door for a Platteville rally, bringing the match to a deadlock at 24
| Set 2 | UWP | The Pioneers jumped out to a 14-5 lead and would manage the momentum to their advantage the set, keeping Loras at a safe distance
| Set 3 | LOR | Leading 10-9, Claire Ritchie's service continued for seven points as Loras took complete control of the set
| Set 3 | LOR | Loras posted three service aces over the final stretch of the set, killing any chance of comeback for Platteville
| Set 4 | LOR | The Duhawks closed the book on the match with a 13-3 run in the middle of set four to take 23-13 lead


STARTING LINEUP
| LOR | Jenna LaCorte, Claire Ritchie, Therese Schultz, Haley Bergan (L), Danni Kennedy, Liz Jendra, Jenna Erickson
| UWP | Lauren Grady, Lindsay Decker (L), Allison Jensen, Lidia Frias, Allie Carter, Rachel Ambroch, Kelley Lynch


THE FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Claire Ritchie | Converting on 13 attacks, Claire Ritchie led the Duhawk attack on Wednesday while adding in 11 assists, two digs, and one block assist


POST-GAME INTERVIEW



UP NEXT
Loras will return to the confines of home this weekend for the Loras Invitational. With four games spread over two days, the Duhawks will face UW-Stout, Saint Mary's, St. Ambrose, and Wheaton.