DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's volleyball kept hopes alive in a chase for another American Rivers Conference championship after winning in three straight sets 25-22, 25-11, 25-17. The match on Pride Night was broadcast on Mediacom in communities across the tri-states. 

The Spartans have won the past five matches against the Norse and have won 4-5 matches by a 3-0 mark. The two teams swapped the lead just four times and tied 10 times in the match. UD finished with a .232 hitting percentage and collected 39 kills in 99 attempts. Leading the offense was Delainey Winkel who finished with 14 kills and a .444 hitting percentage. Alexis Kammerer added 17 assists and a pair of service aces and Ashlyn McGinnis had 13 set assists. Payton Uptagraft blocked three solo attempts out of the team's five blocks. Defensively UD dug 51 digs and were led by Taylor Bechen (15) and Emma Powell (12). 

The win put the Spartans in a three-way tie for the A-R-C lead at 4-1 with Coe College and Nebraska Wesleyan University. UD improved to 18-8 overall and will host Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 25 when North Park University visits Dubuque at 6:00 p.m. North Park is currently receiving votes in the top 25. The Spartans finish their A-R-C schedule on the road on Nov. 1 at Nebraska Wesleyan University at 6:00 p.m., at Buena Vista University on Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m., and at Wartburg College on Nov. 6 at 6:00 p.m.

The A-R-C volleyball Tournament Championships begin on Nov. 12 in the first round of play. The second round will be on Nov, 14 and the Championship final on Nov. 16 with all matches being played at the higher seed of the six qualifiers for each round. The winner of the A-R-C Tourney earns the NCAA automatic qualifying spot in the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships.