MENOMONIE — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic volleyball team fell to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-1 (20-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-27) Thursday at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Stout jumped to an early lead as Hope Bushendorf, Brooke McCune, and Emma Barton contributed kills, with Barton adding a block assist to establish a 7-4 advantage. The Warhawks tied the set at 7-7 and used a six-point run to pull ahead 15-9. Despite a late push from Stout, which included a Barton kill, a block by Brynn Hessel and Sloan Horgan, and a Lauren Duenkel kill, Whitewater took four of the final six points to win the set 25-20.

In the second set, after Hessel's initial kill, Stout trailed 5-2 but rebounded with a series of plays, including a McCune service ace, to lead 6-5. Whitewater responded with a four-point streak to regain the advantage. The Blue Devils managed to tie it at 9-9, but Whitewater pulled away with a decisive stretch, highlighted by service aces from Natalie Powers, to secure the set 25-16.

Stout started the third set strong, moving ahead 4-1 on a McCune kill. The set remained close until Stout surged to a 24-18 lead, thanks to a Barton kill and a service run that included an ace. A service error from Whitewater ended the set in Stout's favor, 25-19.

In the final set, Stout overcame an early deficit to lead 9-5, with McCune's service aces contributing. However, Whitewater erased a 14-11 Stout lead with a five-point swing. The teams exchanged points until Stout reached set point at 24-22. The Warhawks tied it and closed the match with a 27-25 set win.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Brooke McCune
• 14 kills on .243 hitting
• 4 service aces
• 18 points
 
Kailey Kline
• 17 digs
 
Falon Hepola
• 19 assists
 
Emma Barton
• 9 kills
• 2 solo blocks
• 12 points
 
The Blue Devils fall to 9-4 overall and 0-1 in WIAC play. They will return to action Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. when they play Simpson College in Northfield, Minn.