WHITEWATER, Wis. --- The Edgewood College Eagles women's volleyball squad battled in their second-straight NCAA Division III Tournament Thursday. They faced off with a familiar foe in the UW-Platteville Pioneers. The Pioneers (26-6), ranked 17th in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, carried their momentum from late in the first set to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-17) sweep of the Eagles (24-10).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Edgewood College built up an 8-4 advantage early off the back of their offense. A 6-1 rally from UW-Platteville tiled things back in their favor 13-12 as the Pioneers strung together three-straight kills to spark the run. UW-Platteville built up to an 18-15 lead with a 5-1 stretch, before finishing off the set on a 6-1 run.
 
- The Eagles replied with four unanswered early in the second frame to build up an 8-5 edge, but three points in a row from the Pioneers evened things at 8-8. UW-Platteville broke the ice with a 6-1 burst for a 16-12 tally. The Pioneers claimed a 2-0 lead in the match with an 8-2 rally.
 
- Six in a row early had UW-Platteville ahead 9-3 after an early stalemate. A 5-2 stretch in the middle of the set as the Pioneers struggled with errors kept Edgewood College within 15-14, but eight in a row helped UW-Platteville advance to the second round of the tournament.
 
- The Pioneers outhit the Eagles .266-to-.084. They also had a 9-to-2 advantage in aces.
 
- Kieney McDonald hit 15 kills with a .419 hitting percentage and five blocks.
 
- Emma Carlson posted a 14-kill, 10-dig double-double with a .281 hitting percentage.
 
- Gracie Gibbons fueled an effective UW-Platteville offense with 33 assists.
 
- Cassidy Spies swung for eight kills. Abigail Hoffmann paced Edgewood College with 11 assists.
 
- Abbey Eivins earned eight assists and eight digs. Mia Hinkamper tallied eight digs.
 
- Abbey Falk and Payton Millin each contributed two blocks.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Eagles' 24 victories were their most since the 2015 season.
 
- Edgewood College made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
 
- Falk matched the program's career blocks per set record. Her 1.13 blocks per set tied Mandie Armstrong (1995-98) and her blocks per set.
 
UP NEXT
With the loss, the Eagles concluded their 2024 season. They earned back-to-back NACC Tournament Championships for the first time in program history. Falk broke the program's career total blocks record. Their 12 conference wins in NACC play matched their most in conference play.