DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque volleyball team opened American Rivers Conference play on Wednesday night and grabbed a 3-1 victory during homecoming week over the Loras College Duhawks. In front of a large vocal crowd on Breast Cancer Awareness night, UD fans adorned in pink watched the squad dominate the first two sets 25-19, 25-14 and looked like the squad was going to end the night for the Duhawks early. Loras started the third set and pushed an early lead into a win 25-18. UD responded with a fourth set 25-16 match win.

Delainey Winkel led UD with 20 kills trailed by Emma Powell who had 13, and Payton Uptagraft who ended the evening with eight kills and a team high five blocks. Ashlyn McGinnis led UD with three aces. Alexis Kammerer assisted 17 kills and Ashlyn McGinnis had 16 set assists. The Spartans defense was led by the duo of Emma Powell and Taylor Bechen who both finished with 20 digs. 

The Spartans finished the night with 50 kills in 160 attacks for a hitting percentage of .231. UD held Loras to -.023 attacking percentage in set four and to a .169 hitting percentage for the match and forced them into 24 errors. UD improved their season to 12-7 overall and 1-0 in A-R-C action.

UD will travel to Waukesha, Wis. this weekend to play in the Carroll University Triangular. Friday night the Spartans face the Augustana College Vikings at 6:30 p.m. in Ganfield Gymnasium before playing Carroll University at 8:30 p.m. The Spartans resume A-R-C play on Friday, Oct. 11 when UD host the Cenral College Dutch on Pride Night at 6:00 p.m. The Spartans continue league play on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11:00 a.m. against the Simpson College Storm with both matches played in the Stoltz Sports Center.