RV Wis-Whitewater 3, RV Carthage 1
WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Carthage women's volleyball team fell to UW-Whitewater, 25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, on Friday night at Kris Russell Volleyball Arena. The Firebirds dropped to 14-6 overall in the 2026 season.
Set 1: Carthage battled UW-Whitewater through a competitive opening set before the Warhawks pulled away for a 25-20 win. The teams traded points early and were tied at 5-5 before continuing to exchange leads. The Firebirds later took a 7-6 advantage following consecutive kills by Macy Wente, but the Warhawks responded to regain control. Carthage stayed within striking distance late in the set, but UW-Whitewater closed out the frame, 25-20.
Set 2: The Warhawks earned a 25-18 victory in the second set to take a 2-0 match lead. Carthage kept the score close early, but UW-Whitewater gradually built its advantage. The Firebirds continued to battle and recorded eight kills in the set, but the Warhawks used a late scoring run to reach set point at 24-18 before closing out the frame.
Set 3: Carthage responded with a 25-23 win to extend the match. The Firebirds overcame an early deficit and tied the set at 10-10 after a run of points that included kills by Ava Dettwiler, Sofia Campos, and Kristina Manojlovic. The teams continued to trade points through the middle of the set before Carthage built a 24-20 lead behind consecutive service aces from Mina Reichert. UW-Whitewater rallied to cut the deficit to 24-23, but Manojlovic finished the set with a kill to give the Firebirds the 25-23 victory.
Set 4: Carthage opened the fourth set with an early lead and held a 10-5 advantage before UW-Whitewater rallied to tie the score at 10-10. The teams traded points through the middle of the frame, with the Firebirds tying the score at 15-15 on a kill by Hailey Wierzgac. The Warhawks regained the lead and pulled ahead late, reaching match point at 24-20. Carthage answered with a point on a block by Wierzgac and Dettwiler, but UW-Whitewater secured the 25-21 win to take the match in four sets.
Carthage hit .126 as a team and finished with 48 kills, four service aces and 12 total blocks. UW-Whitewater hit .192 and recorded 57 kills, four aces and 15 total blocks.
Manojlovic led the Firebirds with 17 kills and 11 digs. Dettwiler added 10 kills, 24 assists, 10 digs and six total blocks, while Wierzgac finished with eight kills on a .333 hitting percentage and seven total blocks. Wente recorded five kills, and Della Walsh contributed 18 assists and eight digs. Grace Wenthold added 15 digs, while Reichert registered seven digs and two service aces.
"Tough battle tonight against an always tough Whitewater team," said Head Coach Leanne Ulmer. "We did a lot of good things, but struggled to win the serve pass game consistently. They are one of the taller pin blocking teams and if you're not in system you become more predictable and the block becomes a factor. But, I love the way we battled and stayed together. We will enjoy homecoming and take the next week to prepare for North Park."
Carthage women's volleyball returns to action Friday, Oct. 16, when the Firebirds travel to Chicago, Ill., to face North Park at 7 p.m. The Firebirds return to Tarble Arena on Oct. 28 to host Millikin University at 7 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.
