Pioneer volleyball picked to finish seventh in WIAC

Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team is picked to finish seventh in 2022. Head Coach Samantha Birkicht begins her sixth year leading the Pioneer volleyball program. Birkicht and the Pioneers will need to replace three All-WIAC performers from the 2021 season. 

The Pioneers return four starters for 2022, led by sophomore Emma Carlson. Carlson played in 103 matches as a true freshman and recorded 303 kills from her outside hitting position. Birkicht feels the sophomore will pick up where she left off from her freshman year and continue to improve. 

"Emma will do the same thing as she did last year, crush it," Birkicht said. "She will lead the competiveness on the court. She is more comfortable this year. Last year she was trying to figure out who she was, which affected her play at times. This season, she has what I call the 'warrior mode.' She knows exactly what her warrior mode looks like and keeps it consistent, allowing her to be more consistent in the game and produce for us consistently on the court." 

Birkicht feels a healthy Claudia Johnson and junior college transfer Maddie Schultz will help Carlson pick up the void left by the graduation of Olivia Kudronowicz, Lita Solbrig and Kaite Asche.

"Schultz is a transfer from Highland Community College and has shown us great things in the gym so far. She is a great ball control player. She has a great head on her shoulders while on the court and handling the pressure," Birkicht said. "Johnson was on and off last year due to injury, we didn't get to see all she had to offer last year due to the injuries. This year she is walking in healthy and really stepped up as a leader in that middle position, knowing that she has big shoes to fill with Kaite Asche graduating."

Junior Abby Feldmann and senior Sam Rossetti split time in 2021 at the setter position. Playing in her first college season as a sophomore, Feldmann had 615 assists in 84 sets. Rossetti dished out 398 assists. Birkicht sees her two captains splitting time again in 2022.

"We have depth this year, there isn't a clear leader for the setter spot," Birkicht said. "Neither has shown one is ahead of the other. There is possibility to see both on the court and the possibility of splitting time like last year. The good news, they are our captains and leading our team this year and I know they will handle that role well."

The Pioneers will open the 2022 season at the Macalester Invite in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.

The first home contest kicks off the tough WIAC season and sees the Pioneers welcoming in the defending NCAA Division III national champions and pre-season #1 nationally ranked UW-Eau Claire to town on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. The Pioneers dropped a five-set match to the Blu Golds in 2021. 

"It is always hard when people ask, 'where do you see yourself in the conference this year?' I don't know, we went to a fifth set with the national champions in our last conference game last year," Birkicht said. "I am proud to be a part of this conference. I love that I never have a clue where we are going to stand. Our team is super excited, not only to go against UW-Eau Claire, but everyone in the conference. There is never a game you can take off. Every game seems exciting, every game is competitive, it doesn't matter. It all feels the same to us because we know we are going into a battle." 

The Pioneers will host UW-La Crosse on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. for the very popular "Yell Night." Yell Night is held during Homecoming week and campus organizations compete for the best cheers, loudest group, and best costumes to earn points for the weeklong Homecoming competition.

The Pioneers will host Augustana College and Carthage College on Saturday, Oct. 15 for a triangular meet. The Pioneers will play the Vikings at 1 p.m. and the Firebirds at 3 p.m.

The final home match of the season will be Tuesday, Oct. 25 when Loras College visits for a 7 p.m. contest.

The WIAC Woman's Volleyball Championship Tournament (presented by Culver's) begins with first round action on Tuesday, Nov. 1. 

To follow the Pioneers all season, visit www.Letsgopioneers.com for links for live stats, postgame recaps and links for the contests that are live streamed. Follow the official social media accounts of Pioneer Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.