Volleyball drops WIAC opener at UW-Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, Wis. – With a match filled with runs the University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team dropped its Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opener to UW-Oshkosh, 3-1, on Friday night at Oshkosh, Wis.

The Pioneers (5-8, 0-1 WIAC) topped the Titans (9-4, 1-0 WIAC) with 48 kills to 41 but 11 service errors doomed UW-Platteville.

With the first set tied at 15-15, a 5-0 run and a set ending 3-0 run gave UWO a 25-20 victory. The second-set didn't start well for the Pioneers falling behind quickly, 3-0, but rebounded with a 15-5 run taking a 15-8 lead. The Pioneers held off the Titans' runs and won the second-set 25-19 and tied the match up at one set apiece.

The Pioneers took a 19-16 lead in the third-set but a 4-0 run gave UWO a 20-19 edge. The Titans managed to keep their momentum going and won the third-set 25-22. The fourth-set didn't look good for the Pioneers as they fell behind 16-7. UW-Platteville battled back to a 23-20 deficit, but the comeback fell short falling 25-21.  

The Pioneers' sophomore Jennifer Schmidt recorded a match-high 16 kills followed by junior LeeAnn Mizgalski, who tallied 12 kills. Senior Stephanie Kirchner led UW-Platteville with a .318 hitting percentage and recorded nine kills and six digs. Freshman Lindsey Decker led the Pioneer defense with a career-high 24 defense, and sophomore setter Katie O'Malley registered 38 assists and nine digs.

UW-Platteville returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 25 when the Pioneers welcome UW-La Crosse to Williams Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.