WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Carthage women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches Saturday at the UW-Whitewater tournament at Kris Russell Volleyball Arena, falling to Gustavus Adolphus in three sets before losing to No. 15 Dubuque in four. The Firebirds moved to 15-9 overall following the doubleheader. Carthage opened the day with a 26-24, 25-23, 25-22 loss to Gustavus Adolphus. Carthage returned to the court in the afternoon against Dubuque, falling 26-24, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17.
VS GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS
Set 1: The Firebirds battled throughout the opening set, overcoming an early deficit to tie the score at 8-8. Carthage stayed within striking distance behind kills from
Emma Crow,
Macy Wente,
Hailey Wierzgac,
Ava Dettwiler, and
Kristina Manojlovic. The teams remained close late, but Gustavus Adolphus secured the final two points to take the set, 26-24.
Set 2: The Gusties defeated Carthage, 25-23, in another competitive set. The Firebirds continued to find offensive production from Dettwiler, Crow and Wierzgac, but Gustavus Adolphus held on late to take a two-set advantage.
Set 3: Gustavus Adolphus completed the sweep with a 25-22 win. Carthage continued to compete behind kills from Dettwiler, Crow and Manojlovic, but the Gusties maintained their advantage down the stretch.
VS No. 15 DUBUQUE
Set 1: Carthage dropped a tightly contested opening set, 26-24. The Spartans rallied from an early deficit and tied the score at 9-9 before the teams traded points through the middle stages. Carthage continued to battle behind kills from Dettwiler, Crow and Manojlovic, but Dubuque scored four of the last five points to take the set.
Set 2: The Firebirds responded with a 25-21 victory to even the match. Carthage used a strong effort at the net and took control during the middle stages of the set. Crow and Manojlovic provided key kills, while
Taylor Baratta contributed with blocks as the Firebirds evened the match at one set apiece.
Set 3: Dubuque regained the lead with a 25-20 win. Carthage continued to generate offense through Crow, Manojlovic and Dettwiler, but the Spartans pulled away late to take a two-sets-to-one advantage.
Set 4: Dubuque closed out the match with a 25-17 victory. The Firebirds recorded kills from Crow, Baratta and Manojlovic, but Dubuque maintained control throughout the set to secure the four-set win.
Gustavus Adolphus hit .236 as a team and finished with 40 kills, six service aces and 10 total blocks. Carthage hit .213 and recorded 46 kills, four service aces and seven total blocks. Dettwiler led the Firebirds with 12 kills, 19 assists and 13 digs. Crow added 11 kills, while Wierzgac finished with seven kills and three total blocks.
Dubuque hit .159 as a team and finished with 57 kills, four service aces and eight total blocks. Carthage hit .078 and recorded 41 kills, nine service aces and 15 total blocks. Crow led the Firebirds with 10 kills, while Manojlovic added nine kills, four service aces and 11 digs. Baratta contributed five kills and nine total blocks, while Dettwiler recorded 10 assists. Della Walsh finished with 17 assists and 10 digs.
"We came up short against two quality opponents today," said Head Coach Leanne Ulmer. "In spite of the outcome I felt like our blocking and offense from our middle hitters, Hailey Wierzgac and Taylor Baratta showed improvement. Our right side hitters, Ava Dettwiler and Emma Crow had a lot of success especially against Gustavus. Hopefully, playing tough opponents will prepare us to finish our CCIW schedule strong."
The Firebirds return to Tarble Arena on Oct. 28 to host Millikin University at 7 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.
