WAVERLY, Iowa — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic volleyball team fell to Gustavus Adolphus 3-1 on Saturday morning to close out the Wartburg Invite. The Blue Devils claimed the opening set 28-26, but Gustavus Adolphus took the next two sets 25-18 and 25-18, and closed out the match 29-27 in the fourth set.

In the first set, Gustavus Adolphus moved ahead 4-3, Stout surged to an 8-5 lead with contributions from a Brooke McCune kill, two Gustavus Adolphus errors, and a Brynn Hessel kill. The teams traded leads until Gustavus Adolphus tied it at 13-13 and briefly led 14-13. However, the Blue Devils regained control with key plays from Kyra Giffen and Gabby Ehlers. Stout fought off set points before McCune and Stephanie Petrbok secured the set with consecutive kills for a 28-26 win.

In the second set, McCune's early kills kept Stout within reach, but Gustavus Adolphus pulled ahead 7-3 and extended to 13-5. Despite efforts from Sloan Horgan and McCune, Gustavus Adolphus maintained its lead and finished the set 25-18.

The third set saw Stout capitalize on early Gustavus Adolphus errors, but the opponents responded with a run, leading 11-7. Despite a push from Horgan and McCune, Gustavus Adolphus controlled the set, closing it 25-18 with a strong finish.

In the fourth set, Stout built momentum with a 6-3 lead, but Gustavus Adolphus tied it at 7-7 and took a slight edge. The Blue Devils battled back to lead 18-17, highlighted by McCune's late kills. However, Gustavus Adolphus clinched the match with a 29-27 set victory.
 
UW-Stout Top Performers
Brooke McCune
• 17 kills
• 19.5 points
• Eight digs
• Two service aces
 
Lainey Todd
• 21 assists
• Seven digs
 
Kailey Kline
• team-high 10 digs
 
Brynn Hessel
• Eight kills on .353 hitting
• Six digs
• Two blocks
 
Addison Kessler
• team-high four blocks
 
Up next, the Blue Devils visit the College of Saint Benedict on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at Claire Lynch Hall in St. Joseph, Minnesota.