WAVERLY, Iowa - The University of Dubuque volleyball team entered the night tied for the conference lead, but after jumping out quickly to take the first two sets, UD lost to the Wartburg College Knights 3-2. The Spartans finished second in the American Rivers Conference and will receive a first round bye in the A-R-C tournament.

UD grabbed the first set by a 25-20 margin, won the second set 25-17 before the host Knights won the third set 25-22 despite the Spartans leading 14-5 at one point. The Knights took the fourth set 25-17 and won the match by taking the fifth 15-8. The loss dropped UD to runner-up for the league title after Coe beat Loras in a five set match to grab the title by a game. The top six qualifiers have locked themselves into the conference tournament.

Wednesday's match included 13 ties and seven lead changes. UD finished with a hitting percentage of .300 in the opening set and .308 in the second set. The Knights defense stepped up and forced UD into .105, .125, .043 in the final three sets. The Spartans were led by Emma Powell who finished with 14 kills, two service aces, and a block solo and an assist. Delainey Winkel tallied 13 kills, the duo of Caitlin Jensen and Payton Uptagraft both finished with 12 kills each. Alexis Kammerer assisted in 29 kills and Ashlyn McGinnis had 18 assists. Three Spartans compiled over 20 digs each in the loss. Taylor Bechen led with 23 digs, Emma Powell had 22, and Delainey Winkel 20.

2024 A-R-C Current Standings
1. Coe College - 7-1 in A-R-C, 21-7 overall
2. University of Dubuque - 6-2 in A-R-C, 21-9 overall
3. yet to be determined
4. yet to be determined
5. yet to be determined
6. Loras College - 4-4 in A-R-C, 15-13 overall

Three schools will be sorted out after Thursday's Central College at Buena Vista University's (0-7 in A-R-C, 5-19 overall) contest. Nebraska Wesleyan University sits at 5-3 in A-R-C, 18-8 overall, Wartburg is 5-3 A-R-C, 16-11 overall, and Central is 4-3 in A-R-C, 19-8 overall. The tournament will begin on Tuesday, November 12th with the No. 4 seed hosting the No. 5 seed and the No. 6 seed traveling to the No. 3 seed. On Thursday, November 14th, the winner of the opening No. 4/5 match will travel to the No. 1 seed of the tournament for the semifinals and the No. 2 seed will host the winner of the No. 3/6 seed opening round match. The championship match will be held at the highest seed remaining on Saturday, November 16th. the winner of the 2024 conference tournament will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

First Round - Tuesday, November 12, 2024
No. 5 at No. 4
No. 6 at No. 3

Semifinals - Thursday, November 14, 2024
No. 4/5 at No. 1
No. 3/6 at No. 2

Championship - Saturday, November 16, 2024
Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner