The No. 12 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team resumed Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Friday night with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 victory over UW-Stout at Kris Russell Volleyball Arena.
 
The Warhawks (17-5 overall, 2-1 WIAC) displayed a patient offensive attack against the Blue Devils' strong defense. UW-Whitewater's own defense amassed 75 digs, the most in a three-set match this season.
 
Senior outside hitter Lauren Pfeifer (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) posted a double-double with a team-best 15 kills to go along with 13 digs and three blocks. Junior middle hitter Courtney Wagner (Dekalb, Ill./Dekalb) added nine kills and three blocks up front.
 
Making her first start of the season, sophomore setter Elizabeth Niestrom (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South) collected 37 assists, 11 digs and two service aces.
 
Sophomore libero Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) registered a team-high 25 digs, and freshman defensive specialist Elizabeth Tworek (Lake Zurich, Ill./Carmel Catholic) tallied 14 digs.
 
UW-Whitewater broke open a close first set with four straight points on Niestrom's serve, including two kills by freshman outside hitter Alexandra Bialo (Greendale, Wis./Greendale), to take a 22-16 lead en route to a first-set victory.
 
The Warhawks controlled the first half of the second set until a 5-0 run gave UW-Stout (9-9, 1-2) a 20-16 advantage. UW-Whitewater responded by claiming six of the next seven points, but the Blue Devils answered with two straight points to take a 23-22 lead.
 
The Warhawks finished the frame with three consecutive points, including two on kills by Pfeifer, to take a 2-0 advantage in the match.
 
UW-Whitewater jumped out to an early lead in the third set and didn't look back, taking full control of the set with a 9-2 spurt midway through. Junior right side hitter Sydney Racky (Walworth, Wis./Big Foot) recorded the last two points with two of her seven kills to give the Warhawks their 58th victory over the Blue Devils in 62 matches all time.
 
UW-Whitewater continues WIAC play Saturday against UW-River Falls. Match time is slated for noon at Russell Arena.