Volleyball Tabbed For Fourth In WIAC Preseason Poll

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2024 WIAC Preseason Poll the league announced on Wednesday afternoon.

UW-Oshkosh finished atop the poll after claiming the regular season title a year ago. UW-Whitewater and UW-Stevens Point followed to round out the top three ahead of UW-Platteville. The final four spots in the poll went to UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and UW-La Crosse, respectively.

The fourth-place projection is the Pioneers highest in the preseason poll since the team was also picked fourth back in 2011. UW-Platteville had a successful 2023 season, finishing 21-8 overall and finishing third in the WIAC at 5-2, and looks to carry that momentum forward into 2024.

Head coach Samantha Birkicht will guide the team for the seventh season and welcomes back 10 letterwinners and three starters from a year ago.

Senior Emma Carlson is among the top returners after earning AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors last season. Carlson finished second in the conference and ninth in Division III in total kills while posting a .243 hitting percentage.

Other key returners include juniors Kierney McDonald, Bri Gartner, and Gracie Gibbens. McDonald earned WIAC Honorable Mention recognition last season after finishing second in the conference in blocks and reaching 200 kills for the second straight season. Gartner averaged a team-high 3.73 digs per set at libero while Gibbens was second on the team with 4.24 assists per set.

The Pioneers begin the 2024 campaign on Friday, August 30 in Grinnell, Iowa against Simpson. UW-Platteville's home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. against Dubuque.