Volleyball begins season 1-1 in California

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Volleyball team began their season 1-1 in back-to-back 5-set matches on Friday in the Pacific Coast Classic.

The Pioneers started the season with a 3-2 win over Redlands followed by a 2-3 loss to Kean.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and won the first two sets 25-23 and 27-25 before the Pioneers settled in. The Pioneers won the following sets 25-16, 25-17 and 17-15. The team had a combined .181 hitting percentage which included hitting .333 in the pivotal third and fourth sets.

Sophomores Olivia Kudronowicz, CJ Johnson, Lita Solbrig and Kaite Asche led the way offensively, combining for 47 kills with a .270 hitting percentage. Kudronowicz (18 kills, 20 digs) and Johnson (38 assists, 13 digs) each finished with double doubles. Asche owned the net with three solo and three assist blocks. Freshman Stephanie Kalinowski led the team with 27 digs and added two service aces.

Against Kean, the Pioneers started fast with 25-14 and 25-20 wins before dropping the final three sets. The highlight of the match came in the second set when the Pioneers trailed 14-17 and freshman Taylor Ohm rattled off seven consecutive service aces. Ohm finished with nine of the team's 17 service aces in the match.

Kudronowicz and Asche led the offense and each hit over .200 with 13 and 11 kills respectively. Johnson finished with 27 assists and added six kills on an efficient .278 hitting percentage. Kalinowski again took charge of the back row and finished with 24 digs and added three service aces. 

The Pioneers continue play at the Pacific Coast Classic Saturday against Cal Lutheran at 9:30 am (11:30 CST) and Chapman at 1:45 pm (3:45 CST).