LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Dubuque improved to 20-1 overall on the season as the Spartans came into Snyder Arena and defeated Nebraska Wesleyan, 3-1, in IIAC volleyball action on Friday night (Oct. 6).  Dubuque won the four set match in scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16).
 
With the loss, the Prairie Wolves have now dropped seven straight to fall to 7-10 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
 
Dubuque came out swinging in the first set pounding out 17 kills with a .283 hitting percentage, while NWU committed seven errors and hit just .116.  The set was tied at 19-19, but the Spartans went on a 6-1 run to end the set.
 
Set two was much better for the home-standing Prairie Wolves.  NWU began pulling away getting ahead 16-14 then scoring four of the next six points.  Dubuque got within one at 22-21 on a kill, but the Prairie Wolves took over from there.  Kylie Sestak notched a kill, the Spartans had an error and Kierra Harder sealed the win with a kill.
 
The Prairie Wolves were bolstered in the second set when the neighboring high school football game was rained out allowing the student section to get behind the NWU team.
 
That momentum from the third set victory didn't last as Dubuque took the final two sets.  Set three was similar to the opening set with the Spartans using a big run to pull away from a tie.
 
In the fourth set the two teams were tied at 10-10 and the score remained close at 16-14.  From there, Dubuque outscored NWU 9-2 to earn their 20^th win of the year.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan finished with 49 total kills and had two players reach double figures.  Kierra Harder led the way posting a double-double of 14 kills and 18 digs.  Cora Svoboda added 10 kills in the match.  Kelsie Stovall dished out 42 assists on the night.
 
Dubuque was led by Karrah Davis who had 21 kills and 13 digs.
 
NWU is right back in action on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 7) when they host Loras College at 2 pm.