DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's volleyball team dropped its home-opener, 3-0, to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Tuesday night inside the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the beginning of set one, but the Duhawks tied things up at eight apiece following two kills and a block by
Sophie Younkin and a block and kill by
Autumn Finch.
UW-Platteville went on a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead in the middle of the opening set and Loras was unable to overcome the deficit.
The Pioneers took set one by a score of 25-20.
Loras (2-2) fought back in set two after the Pioneers rattled off three consecutive aces to take an early 3-0 lead. The Duhawks tied things up three times before taking a brief one-point lead.
UW-Platteville (3-1) benefitted from a few attack errors by Loras to take an 11-7 lead. The Duhawks would cut into the Pioneers lead, but not be able to get closer than two points.
The orange and blue won set two 25-18.
In the final set, the Pioneers went on a 7-1 run to take an 18-11 lead over the Duhawks, but Loras answered back with a 6-1 run of their own to get within two, 19-17. UW-Plattevile completed the sweep in set three with a 25-21 win.
Younkin led the way for Loras with eight kills, two blocks and four digs. Finch chipped in six kills and five digs, while
Patrycja Jarzabek finished with five kills and seven digs for the Duhawks. This week's A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week,
Sara Hoskins, totaled 19 assists and seven digs in the loss as well.
The Pioneers were led by Emma Carlson who put down 11 kills and tallied three blocks. Kierney McDonald added in nine kills, while setters Sam Rossetti and Gracie Gibbons totaled 17 and 13 assists respectively. As a team, UW-Platteville hit .181, finishing with 38 kills and 18 errors on 105 attempts.
Up next: The Duhawks head west for the Oregon Trail Classic hosted by Pacific University and George Fox University for four games. Loras will take on Linfield University first on Friday, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m. (PT).
