Pioneer Volleyball Returns to Winning Ways with Two Wins at 2012 Cornell Classic

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team returned to its winning ways with a pair of wins at the 2012 Cornell Classic defeating Bethel in five, 22-25, 25-20, 25-11, 17-25, 15-13 and host Cornell in four, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, 25-20 on Saturday in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

The Pioneers (9-3) out hit their opponents and posted double-digit blocks in both victories. In the win over Bethel, three players had double-digit kills and four had double-digit digs but it was a strong service game with eight service aces by UW-Platteville that sparked the win.

Junior setter Allee Yundt had 40 assists and three service aces to set an attack that hit .168 in the win. Among her primary targets was sophomore LeeAnn Mizgalski, who had a team-high 17 kills including five in the decisive fifth set. Seniors Danielle Cushley and Samantha Rampart added 16 and 11 kills, respectively to the win. Plus, sophomore Haley Jansen recorded three more service aces and 16 digs to the win; furthermore, junior Stephanie Kirchner had a solid all-around match with a team-high 22 digs to go along with seven kills and two blocks.

In the tournament finale against Cornell, three more Pioneers had double-digit kills as Kirchner led the attack with 16 kills and a .455 hitting percentage to go along with seven digs and three blocks. Mizgalski added 10 kills and three blocks; plus Cushley had 11 kills and six digs for UW-Platteville. In the second and third sets, UW-Platteville hit at a .200 clip. Freshman Katie O'Malley had 48 assists and eight digs to set up an attack that hit .160.

Following the tournament, Kirchner was named to her second-straight All-Tournament Team for her efforts in the Pioneers' four matches.

With the two wins, UW-Platteville raises its record to 9-3 overall on the season. Next on the schedule is its WIAC opener against UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. inside Williams Fieldhouse.