Pioneers Open Season With Sweep Of Simpson

GRINNELL, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville volleyball team (1-0) got the 2024 season off to a good start by sweeping Simpson (0-1) on Friday night in Grinell, Iowa.

An eight-point run helped the Pioneers secure an opening set win by a score of 25-16. UW-Platteville carried that momentum into set two by taking an early 7-2 lead before Simpson battled back and later tied the set at 21 apiece. Sophomore Kelsey Drake put the Pioneers in front with a kill and a couple of services aces from senior Emma Carlson helped clinch a 25-21 set two win.

UW-Platteville scored the final six points of set three after trailing 22-19 to collect the opening night sweep. Three Simpson attack errors and kills by Carlson, Drake, and freshman Brooklyn Radecke pushed the Pioneers to a 25-22 set three victory.

Carlson paced the team with eight kills, while Radecke and junior Kierney McDonald tied for second on the team with seven apiece. The Pioneers finished with 30 kills as a team in the win, to go along with a .111 hitting percentage.

Junior Bri Gartner led the way with 13 digs, while junior Gracie Gibbens posted a team-high 23 assists. UW-Platteville recorded 10 service aces, with five coming from Carlson.

The Pioneers will play a pair of games at Central (Iowa) College tomorrow, starting with a noon contest against Westminster (Mo.). Following that match, the team takes on Bethal (Minn.) at 2 p.m.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.