DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque volleyball team didn't need the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day, but would utilize strong hitting after dropping the Luther College Norse in three straight sets on Wednesday night. The Spartans in their final home match of the season, would jump out early on the Norse and win the first set 25-17. The Norse took the early lead in set two by a 3-1 score. The two squads would rally back and forth until 14-16 in favor of UD. The Spartans would out score Luther 9-2 to end the match 2-0 after a 25-16 set two final score. Luther started quickly in the third set, up by a 4-1 lead. The Spartans scored six consecutive points and would never trail again in the third set, winning 25-22.

UD would end the night with 48 kills, an offensive hitting percentage of .311, and seven service aces. Darby Hawtrey led with 16 kills in 31 attacks and had 11 defensive digs. Julie May finished with 12 kills in 21 attacks and teammate Emma Powell had nine kills, 10 digs, and three service aces. Kate Messino set the pace with 24 set assists.

The Spartans improved to 4-4 overall and 4-3 in American Rivers Conference play. Luther falls to 0-6 on the season and 0-6 in league play.

UD will travel to face the Buena Vista University Beavers (2-5 overall, 2-5 in A-R-C) on Saturday, March 20 in Storm Lake, Iowa at 2 p.m.