The No. 14 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team used an impressive offensive performance Wednesday night to down No. 10 UW-La Crosse 25-10, 25-19, 25-18 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown at Kris Russell Volleyball Arena.
 
With the win, the Warhawks (22-6 overall, 4-2 WIAC) moved into a tie for first place in the WIAC with the Eagles with one conference match to play.
 
UW-Whitewater finished with a hitting percentage of .412, its highest in one match since a .449 performance at UW-La Crosse on Oct. 22, 2014, and added 12 team blocks compared to one for the Eagles (20-4, 4-2).
 
Junior right side hitter Sydney Racky (Walworth, Wis./Big Foot) tallied a team-high 13 kills on a .706 hitting percentage to go with two blocks. Freshman outside hitter Amanda Spera (Antioch, Ill./Antioch) tallied 10 kills on a .500 hitting percentage, and senior setter Staci Hasler (Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls) recorded 27 assists, five digs and four blocks. Junior middle hitter Courtney Wagner (Dekalb, Ill./Dekalb) totaled five kills, three service aces and a team-best nine blocks.
 
Senior outside hitter Lauren Pfeifer (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) led the defense with 10 digs. Senior defensive specialist Tessa Weber (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) and sophomore libero Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) chipped in with nine digs apiece.
 
UW-La Crosse scored the first point of the opening set, but UW-Whitewater quickly took the lead and didn't relinquish the advantage the rest of the frame.
 
The Warhawks jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the second, but the Eagles' five-point run cut their deficit to 9-8. UW-Whitewater ran its lead back up to five at 15-10 on a 4-0 run on Hasler's serve.
 
UW-La Crosse got as close as three at 22-19, but freshman middle hitter Ashton Doll (Lancaster, Wis./Lancaster) and Racky registered consecutive kills, and Weber ended the set with a service ace.
 
The Warhawks quickly established an advantage in the third on the serve of freshman defensive specialist Elizabeth Tworek (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel Catholic) and held on to earn a critical victory.
 
UW-Whitewater closes regular season conference play this Friday at UW-Eau Claire. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
The Warhawks can clinch at least a share of the WIAC regular season championship with a win.