UW-Stout 3, UW-Platteville 2 |
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MENOMONIE (September 20, 2017) - It wasn't just veteran middle hitters
Ashley Pratt (Sr, Lakeville, Minn) and
Kennedy Strain (Jr, Elk River, Minn) that put down the big kills when UW-Stout need them in the fifth and deciding set over UW-Platteville - it was several of the young players that helped Stout to a WIAC-opening 25-27, 25-23, 25-19, 12-25, 15-12, Wednesday at Johnson Fieldhouse.
Pratt and Strain each put down a couple of monster kills apiece following long rallies, but freshman
Amber Ripley (Farmington, Minn), sophomore setter
Jessica DuVal (Logan, Iowa) and sophomore right side hitter
Kara Simonson (Otsego, Minn) contributed key kills to help the Blue Devils (5-7, 1-0 WIAC) snag the win.
Stout dropped the first set, but came back to take the next two sets. The Pioneers (9-5, 0-1 WIAC) dominated the fourth set to send the match in the fifth and deciding set.
The point range of the fifth set was only twice wider than two points until the final deciding score.
Ripley led Stout with 14 kills, her second best collegiate kills total. Pratt, who recorded her 1000th career point last weekend, and Strain each contributed 10 kills.
Platteville's Allison Jensen led all players with 18 kills. The senior also notched two solo blocks and two assisted blocks. The Pioneers had a good day at the blocking line, finishing with nine solo blocks and 16 block assists. Katie Jones had three solo blocks and four assisted blocks, while Karlie Niedert had two solo and four assisted blocks.
Stout finished with the night with three solo blocks, two by Strain, and eight assisted blocks, four by Simonson.
The Blue Devils return to action this weekend when they play three matches at the WIAC/CCIW Crossover Tournament at North Central College in Naperville, Ill.
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