Box Score DUBUQUE, Iowa – After coming off an exciting and intense victory on Wednesday night against Loras College, the University of Dubuque women's volleyball team was back in action Friday night as they took on Midwest Conference opponent, Grinnell College Pioneers (6-2) inside Stoltz Sports Center. The Spartans would battle through four tough sets with the Pioneers to pull off the victory 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 25-23).

The Spartans would record 14 kills off 41 attacks (.268%) to help lead them to the opening set victory over the Pioneers (25-21). Darby Hawtrey started strong with five kills to lead all attackers. The Spartans achieved four service aces in the set, which was the difference in the set. The Pioneers would attack well in set two as they raced out to an early lead and would finish off the set 25-20 to tie the match at 1-1.

The Spartans would trail early in the third set 6-10 before going on an 8-1 run to give the Spartans the 14-11 advantage forcing the Pioneers into a timeout. The Pioneers would respond after the timeout to retake the lead at 20-18 before the Spartans would come back to win set the third set 25-22. Through three sets, Ashlee Adler would lead all Spartan attackers with 11 kills on 24 attacks (.333). Just like their first set win, the Spartans used a big four serve aces that made the difference.

The Spartans again showed resiliency in the fourth set as they found themselves trailing 0-4 before a 12-4 run by the Spartans forced the Pioneer timeout as they led 12-8. The Pioneers would battle back to tie the set at 18-18 as the Spartans took a timeout. Out of the timeout both teams would score to be even at 19-19 and then thanks to an attacking error by the Pioneers and a service ace by Hawtrey, the Spartans lead 21-19. As tough as the Pioneers made it for the Spartans, the Spartans fought through to pull out a 25-23 fourth set to take the match.

Three Spartans finished the night in double figure kills with Adler (14), Emma Powell (13), and Hawtrey (12). Freshman setter, Maegan Brylski had her career-high tonight in assists with 48. The Spartans finished the four-set match with 54 kills on 165 attacks (.230).

Up Next
The Spartans move above .500 (6-5) for the first time this season and will look to stay undefeated in conference play (1-0) as they travel to Waverly, Iowa on Wednesday, September 21 to face Wartburg College at 6:00 p.m.