Pioneers sweep Knights to open MSOE Invitational

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team swept the Carleton College Knights on Friday night in the opening match of the MSOE Invitational. UW-Platteville collected its eighth sweep of the season winning three sets 25-18, 27-25, and 25-15. 

The match was the second time this season the Pioneers (11-4, 0-2 WIAC) and Knights (1-8, 0-2 MIAC) met and the second win for UW-Platteville after defeating Carleton 3-1 on September 3. 

The Knights led 8-3 in the opening set before the Pioneers went on a 13-7 run to take the lead for the first time. They finish with a 10-3 run, including three kills from sophomore Camryn Johnston, to win the first set 25-18. 

The teams exchanged the lead seven times to find themselves tied 23-23 in set two. Carleton won the next point, but another kill by Johnston locked the score up again at 24. UW-Platteville went ahead 24-23 with a kill by sophomore Claudia Johnson. The Knights won the next point, but then a service error followed by an attack error by Carleton secured the 27-25 victory in set two. 

The Pioneers seemed to find their groove in the final set and jumped out to an early 10-3 lead. Carleton got as close at 14-10, but UW-Platteville won five of the last six points to win 25-15 and clinch the sweep. 

UW-Platteville finished with a .134 hitting percentage across the three sets. Sophomore Emma Carlson led the Pioneers in kills with 11, while Johnston finished with eight and Johnson tallied six. Freshman Bri Gartner led the team with 10 digs, and Carlson led with four service aces.

The Pioneers will continue competition at the MSOE Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 24 with matches against Nebraska Wesleyan at noon and MSOE at 4 p.m.

*With every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.