The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team returned to the Williams Center Wednesday night to host UW-Oshkosh.
 
The Warhawks (11-2, 2-0 WIAC), nationally ranked at 25, won their conference home opener in a 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 fashion over the Titans (9-8, 0-2 WIAC).
 
The Warhawks started neck and neck against their WIAC rival in the first set, but gradually pulled ahead to 11-8 midway through.  They continued to expand their lead throughout the set on the way to a 25-18 victory. 
 
The match remained close through the early part of the second set and was tied at 11-11 until the Warhawks went on a 6-0 run to gain some distance, but the Titans replied with a 7-1 run to tie it back up at 18 apiece.  It remained close throughout, until junior middle hitter Ashton Doll (Lancaster, Wis./Lancaster) claimed the tense 25-23 set with a kill for the Warhawks.
 
The Warhawks pulled ahead early in the third set 7-3.  The Titans closed in within one later before a Warhawk 5-1 run gave them a 15-10 advantage.  The teams battled back and forth, but the Titans were unable to overcome the deficit in the end and the Warhawks claimed the match with a 25-20 set.
 
Junior outside hitter Rachel Butterfield (Milton, Wis./Milton) and freshman outside hitter Emma Aske (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) collected nine kills apiece to lead the offense. Doll and freshman outside hitter Erin McNeil (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) each posted seven kills.

Freshman setter KellyAnn Sotiros (New Berlin, Wis./West Allis Hale) led the team with 16 assists and added in 10 digs for her fifth double-double of the year, while her freshman setter partner Paige Manssen (Bull Valley, Ill./McHenry West) followed with 15 of her own.  Senior libero Brittany Robinson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) had 12 digs to lead the team. 
 
The Warhawks had a big day at the net with 11 team blocks. Doll lead the team with 6 blocks, while senior middle hitter Kelley Berk (Cedarburg, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) and freshman outside hitter Emily Gillen (Richfield, Wis./Slinger) had 5 apiece.  Gillen tied her career high in blocks.
 
Doll also had an impressive .500 hitting percentage, while both Butterfield and McNeil hit .412 on the evening.
 
The Warhawks will be back in action at home Friday night for Camper Night.  They play UW-River Falls at 7 p.m. in the Kris Russell Volleyball Arena in Williams Center.