The nationally ranked UW Oshkosh women’s volleyball remained unbeaten with a tough win at UW-River Falls and a sweep over nationally ranked North Park University (Illinois) on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, respectively.
With the victories, UWO improves to 28-0 on the season and the Titans are one win away from tying the program record for most wins to begin a season.
The Titans, ranked No. 2 in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, edged out the Falcons in a 3-2 win with set scores of 25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 11-25 and 15-8. Sami Perlberg and Riley Kindt led the team in kills on the night, as Perlberg recorded 13 kills and Kindt recorded 12. Kalli Mau and Izzy Coon led the team in assists, both recording 20 each. Abby Fregien and Amelia Hust led the team in digs, with Fregien recording 13 and Hust recording 11.
In the first set the Titans never trailed. UWO jumped out to a 9-5 lead to start the set, thanks to two kills each from Perlberg, Kirsch and Kindt. However the Falcons never allowed the Titans to pull away as UWRF had an answer for every UWO run. Thankfully for the Titans, the Falcons were never able to reel them in completely and UWO won set one 25-22.
Set two was an easier win for the Titans. UWO jumped out to another 9-5 lead behind two kills from Perlberg and four Falcon attack errors. However unlike set one, the Titans never allowed the Falcons to get the score closer than five points, as UWO won 25-18.
Set three was a back and forth set, as neither team could build a lead higher than two points. UWO was in position for the match win with a 24-23 lead. Unfortunately the Titans were not able to get that 25th point first as the Falcons were able to tie it back up and then score the last two points to win a wild set three 24-26. Then in set four it was all Falcons as UWRF cruised to an 11-25 set four win and sent the game into set five.
Much like the rest of the season, the Titans once again did not let adversity get the best of them. Coach Jon Ellmann said that the team was not fazed by the pressure they were faced with.
“There was real pressure prior to the fifth set and we acknowledged that,” he said. “Those are the moments we look forward to. They are a sign of opportunity.”
The Falcons tried their best to upset the Titans as the set started out with a 6-5 UWO lead. After that UWO pulled away on a 9-2 run to win the set 15-8 and the match 3-2. Riley Dalhquist scored the match winning point with a service ace.
The Titans traveled to Stevens Point the next day to play in the UW-Stevens Point Papa John’s invite against the No. 18 ranked North Park University. It was a much better showing for the Titans as they swept the Vikings 3-0.
Kirsch and Kindt were the leaders in kills for the team as both recorded 10. Mau and Coon were once again the leaders in assists, both recording 15. Fregien recorded 11 digs on the night leading the team.
UWO started the first set trailing to the Vikings until they were able to tie the set up at 9-9.
After that it remained close all the way until two kills by Dalhquist sealed up a 25-23 set one win.
The second set was dominated by the Titans. UWO went on 6-2 run to open up the second set behind three kills from Kindt. As that was all UWO needed to win set two and go up 2-0.
In the third set, it started out close as both teams leveled the score at 6-6. After that it was all Titans, as UWO went on a 6-1 run behind three kills from Kirsch to open the score at 12-7. The Titans were able to ride the lead to a 25-14 set three win and a sweep over the Vikings. Oliva Breunig hit the game-winning kill for the Titans.
Ellmann said that he was happy with the energy the team showed after playing a 5-set game the night before.
“Both teams played a five set match the night prior,” he said. “Our resolve and consistent level of energy and execution was something that we were very happy with.”
Two players reached personal accomplishments in the sweep over North Park. Kindt joined the 1,000 kills club and Kalli Mau joined the 2,000 assists club.
Ellmann said he credited their work ethic as the reason for what they accomplished on Saturday.
“Both Riley and Kalli set the bar for work ethic and leadership. They are a testament to what is possible when you go all in,” he said.
The Titans took on UW-Platteville at the Kolf Sports Center on Oct. 25. You can find the results of the game on the UWO Athletics website.
UWO will take on Alverno College at home Oct. 31 for Senior Night.