DUBUQUE, Iowa - A hot, loud, filled Stoltz Sports Center on Wednesday night provided an exciting backdrop as the University of Dubuque Spartans welcomed rival Loras Duhawks and won 3-2. The Spartans opened up the first set with a kill from Emma Powell as the crowd erupted. Loras went on 5-0 run and did not look back to capture the first set 25-21.

In the second set, the Spartans would regroup with a 3-0 run, followed by a 6-0 run to take the lead 9-3, which forced Loras into a timeout. Freshman, Payton Uptagraft would extend the lead 13-4 after consecutive kills. The Spartans would take the largest lead of the set 18-8, thanks to kills from Powell, Darby Hawtrey, and Grace Hintze. Junior, Powell fueled the Spartans to victory with back-to-back kills winning the set 25-18.

In the third set, the Spartans jumped out to a 8-3 lead. After kills from Maegan Brylski and Alexis Adkins, the Spartans increased their lead to 16-9. Loras would crawl back into the game thanks to a 5-0 run forcing the Spartans to call a timeout at 19-15. A crucial volley resulted in a kill for Ashlee Adler giving the Spartans the advantage 22-18.  Hawtrey would take matters into her own hands by serving two aces which resulted in another Spartan victory 25-18. Entering the fourth set, the Duhawks came to life. Loras led the majority of the set and won 25-13, forcing a fifth set.

The Spartans and Duhawks would volley back and forth in a pivotal fith set match. Hawtrey, Uptagraft, and Hintze set the pace for the Spartans taking the lead 8-5. After kills from Adkins and Powell, the Spartans extended their lead 13-9. Loras would storm back with a 4-0 run tying the match at 13-13. Another long volley resulted in a kill from Uptagraft giving the Spartans a one point advantage. On the ensuing play, Hawtrey called game with a kill giving April Elsbernd her 200th Victory on Pride Night!

The Spartans ended the night with 59 kills, eight blocks, and seven aces. Hawtrey led the Spartans with 16 kills, as Powell finished with 13, and Uptagraft with 10.

Up Next
The Spartans have a quick turnaround as they return to the friendly confines of Stoltz Sports Center on Friday night for a match up against the Grinnell College Pioneers. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.