Related Links:UW-Whitewater Invitational Web Page The No. 15 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team completed a 4-0 weekend Saturday with victories over a pair of opponents ranked among the top 15 nationally on the second and final day of the UW-Whitewater Invitational at Russell Arena.
The Warhawks (14-3 overall) downed No. 6 Carthage 25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23 to start the day, and wrapped up the tournament with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 triumph over 11th-ranked Chicago.
Following the conclusion of play, junior setter
Staci Hasler (Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls) and junior outside hitter
Lauren Pfeifer (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) were named to the All-Tournament team.
In the match against Carthage (12-2), the Warhawks outslugged the powerful Lady Reds in a lengthy, intense four-set contest.
Pfeifer recorded a career-high 23 kills to go along with 13 digs and three blocks. Sophomore outside hitter
Sydney Racky (Walworth, Wis./Big Foot) totaled 12 kills, while sophomore middle hitter
Courtney Wagner (Dekalb, Ill./Dekalb) and senior right side hitter
Brittney Langley (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) tallied 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
Hasler finished with 52 assists, six digs and four blocks. Junior middle hitter
Angelika Pointer (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) added a team-high five blocks up front.
Freshman libero
Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) registered a team-best 24 digs. Junior defensive specialist
Tessa Weber (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) collected 18 digs and a team-high four service aces, and senior defensive specialist
Jaclyn Krizka (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) contributed 16 digs.
UW-Whitewater won the first four points of the first set and didn't look back despite a late rally by Carthage to tie the frame at 22-22. The Warhawks won the last three points of the set, including two on kills by Pfeifer.
UW-Whitewater had a set point in the second at 25-24, but the Lady Reds took the last three points to level the match at 1-1.
In a back-and-forth third set, the Warhawks won the last four points after trailing 21-20 to take a 2-1 advantage despite a match-low .162 hitting percentage in the period.
UW-Whitewater closed the fourth set much like it did the third, claiming the last three points, including two on kills by Langley.
Against Chicago (12-4), the Warhawks dug out of an 11-7 deficit to take the first set on the strength of a 10-2 run midway through the frame.
UW-Whitewater jumped out to big leads in the second and third and hung on the rest of the way in each set.
Pfeifer concluded her fantastic day with 15 kills and 10 digs. Hasler posted seven kills, six digs and 26 assists, while Wagner compiled a team-high six blocks up front.
Robinson led the defense with 17 digs and a team-best three service aces. Weber recorded 15 digs, while Krizka added eight digs and two aces.
The Warhawks resume Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Wednesday against No. 10 UW-Stevens Point. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Russell Arena.
Wednesday's match is set to be UW-Whitewater's fourth straight against an opponent ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Top 25.