The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team, ranked 25th in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, fell to eighth ranked UW-Stevens Point 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-15, 15-11) Wednesday night in Whitewater. The Warhawks are 23-7 overall and the Pointers improve to 25-4. Both teams lead the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 5-1 record. 

UW-Whitewater outhit the Pointers but UW-SP recorded more blocks and fewer errors in serve-receive. The Warhawks hit .184 with 63 kills in the five set match. Stevens Point registered 56 kills hitting .185. Defensively, UW-Whitewater posted nine total team blocks compared to 13 for the Pointers.

After falling in the first set 25-19, the Warhawks recorded their best offensive set of the night. UW-Whitewater hit .260 with 20 kills to even the match 1-1 with a 25-21 win in set two. 

The Warhawk defense held the Pointer hitters to an attack percentage of just .025 in set three allowing 12 kills but forcing 11 errors. UW-Whitewater was more efficient at the net to take a 2-1 advantage in the match after a 25-22 set three win.

UW-Stevens Point switched up their rotation in the fourth rotation and rattled off eight in a row to take a 15-5 advantage. The Warhawks battled back but the Pointers forced the decisive fifth set winning set four 25-15. 

In set five, Stevens Point jumped out to an 8-2 lead as the teams switched benches. The Warhawks refused to fold pulling to within three at 10-13 and again at 11-14 but the Pointers came away with the win.

Four Warhawks recorded double figure kills lead by senior right side Ariel Feiertag (Brown Deer/Brown Deer) and junior outside Jessica Sabey (Merrill/Merrill) with 15 each. Senior middle Kristen Ruchti (Brodhead/Brodhead) and sophomore outside Lauren Pfeifer (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) added 13 apiece. Feiertag and Ruchti each posted four assist blocks. Senior setter Kim Frei (West Bend/West Bend West) recorded 57 assists and senior libero Kelsey Nobilio (Johnsburg, IL/Johnsburg) led UW-Whitewater in the backcourt with 26, tied for match high honors. 

With the WIAC race still up in the air, the Warhawks have an important weekend coming up. UW-Whitewater travels to Eau Claire for a 7 p.m. match against the Blugolds Friday before wrapping up league play in Superior at 12 p.m. Saturday.