Platteville varsity volleyball coach Yvette Statz had hoped her team would use last Tuesday’s match-up at league-leading Lancaster as a spring board to the top of the Southwest Wisconsin Conference standings.
While the visiting Hillmen battled to keep it close in each game, they couldn’t get over the proverbial hump, and spent much of the night on the defensive.
Lancaster had just enough offense to hold off a game Platteville squad winning each game by two more points more than the previous in a 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 sweep.
The Arrows (18-5, 5-1 SWC) remained in a first-place tie with Richland Center (19-4, 5-1), while Platteville fell to 3-2 in league play with the loss.
“We struggled getting our offense going thus we spent more time on defensive,” explained coach Statz. “We can’t expect to win while spending more time on defense than offense. Lancaster was quick on their feet and aggressive.”
Lancaster’s Country Mumm floored a match-high 12 kills, while Andrea dug up 19 Platteville attacks, a main key in shutting down the Hillmen offense. Setter Kate Noble passed out 38 assists and made four blocks in the win.
A frustrated Julia Lawinger finished the night with nine kills and two blocks to lead Platteville.
Thursday night the Hillmen got back on the winning track and stayed within a game of the league leaders by responding with a dominating 25-15, 25-18, 25-17 sweep of visiting Dodgeville.
Every Platteville player saw action and contributed to the Parents’ Night victory. Junior Mackenzie Bartels led a balanced attack with 10 kills and three blocks. Julia Lawinger added eight blocks, while senior Tess Stecklein added five kills and eight digs.
“Every one filled in and played well which was really nice on Parent’s Night,” added Statz.
The Hillmen (22-7-2, 4-2) will participate in the Wisconsin Heights Invite on Saturday.
Lancaster 3, Platteville 0
(from Tuesday, Sept. 20 @ Lancaster)
Platteville 22 20 18
Lancaster 25 25 25
Platteville stat leaders: Kills - Julia Lawinger 9, Taylor Pagliaro 5, Tess Stecklein 5. Blocks - Lawinger 2. Assists - Katie Lucas 20. Aces - Stecklein 2, Lucas 1. Digs - Briette Updike 9, Stecklein 8, Megan Moss 5. 100 percent serving - Updike 12-12, Pagliaro 4-4, Stephanie Philipps 4-4, Ashley Budden 3-3.
Platteville 3, Dodgeville 0
(from Thursday, Sept. 22 @ Platteville)
Dodgeville 15 18 17
Platteville 25 25 25
Platteville stat leaders: Kills - Mackenzie Bartels 10, Julia Lawinger 8, Stecklein 5. Blocks - Bartels 3, Megan Moss 3. Assists - Katie Lucas 14, Stephanie Philipps 8. Aces - Tess Stecklein 3, Taylor Pagliaro 2. Digs - Stecklein 8, Briette Updike 6, Moss 5. 100 percent serving - Stecklein 26-26, Pagliaro 12-12, Updike 11-11, Alyson Reeves 7-7, Megan Schlueter 4-4, Philipps 3-3.
