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UW-Whitewater Invitational Web Page
 
The No. 14 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team recorded its second consecutive victory over a nationally ranked opponent Friday with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-21 triumph over No. 13 Christopher Newport (Va.) on the first day of the UW-Whitewater Invitational at Kris Russell Volleyball Gymnasium.
 
Freshman outside hitter Alexandra Bialo (Greendale, Wis./Greendale) totaled 10 kills to lead the Warhawks (10-3 overall), who held the Captains to a .052 hitting percentage for the match.
 
Junior right side hitter Sydney Racky (Walworth, Wis./Big Foot) posted nine kills, and junior middle hitter Courtney Wagner (Dekalb, Ill./Dekalb) registered seven kills and three blocks.
 
Senior setter Staci Hasler (Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls) tallied 29 assists, six kills and four digs.
 
Sophomore libero Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) and senior outside hitter Lauren Pfeifer (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson) led the defense with 14 and 11 digs, respectively. Pfeifer added team highs of four service aces and four blocks.
 
UW-Whitewater never trailed in the first set, increasing its lead to as many as eight points. Christopher Newport (10-4) fought off three straight set points before a service error gave the Warhawks a 1-0 match lead.
 
In the second set, UW-Whitewater rattled off nine straight points on Pfeifer's serve to break a 13-13 tie. Hasler contributed two kills during the run, which helped the team close out the second set.
 
The Warhawks forced a Captain timeout by taking a 9-5 advantage. Christopher Newport drew to within 11-9, but the serves of Robinson and Pfeifer helped UW-Whitewater score eight of the next 10 points and take a commanding 19-11 lead.
 
The Captains drew to within three at 21-18, but the two teams traded points and a service error on the second match point helped the Warhawks post their fifth straight win overall.
 
UW-Whitewater returns to action in the UW-Whitewater Invitational Saturday at 10 a.m. against St. Norbert and continues at 2 p.m. against Carroll.