Pioneer Volleyball setback by No. 7 Wash U. and Millikin

The UW-Platteville volleyball team was swept by seventh-ranked Washington University (Mo.) (25-13, 25-17, 25-11) and by Millikin (25-14, 25-22, 25-20) on Saturday at the Elmhurst Invitational.

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Pioneer Volleyball setback by No. 7 Wash U. and Millikin
September 20, 2014

ELMHURST, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team was swept by seventh-ranked Washington University (Mo.) (25-13, 25-17, 25-11) and by Millikin (25-14, 25-22, 25-20) on Saturday at the Elmhurst Invitational.

The Pioneers didn't have a player with double-digit kills in either match. Freshman Merritt Johnson tallied nine kills against Millikin, while Lauren Grady recorded a team-high seven kills against Wash U.

Wash U. didn't waste any time, taking a quick 8-2 lead before the Pioneers took a timeout. Out of the timeout the Pioneers cut it to a 9-5 game, before the Bears took a timeout of their own. Wash U. pushed it lead to seven point, 17-10, and ended the first set on an 8-3 run, winning 25-13.

The Pioneers jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in the second set. But after a timeout by Wash U., the Bears battled back to tie the set at 14-14. The Pioneers couldn't stop the Bears momentum, as Wash U. cruised to a 25-17 second set victory.

A slow start by the Pioneers in the third set proved to be too much, as Wash U. completed the sweep with a 25-11 third set win.

Then in UW-Platteville's final game of the weekend, Millikin used a 9-2 run to win the first set 25-19.

With the second set tied at 15-15, Millikin rattled off four straight points, taking a 19-15. Millikin held off any Pioneer run and won the second set 25-22.

The Pioneers led by as many as five, 12-5, before Millikin managed to tie the set up 18-18. Millikin kept its momentum after a Pioneer timeout to complete the sweep 25-20.

UW-Platteville will finally play its first home game on Wednesday when the Pioneers open conference action against UW-Whitewater.