LINCOLN, Neb. – University of Dubuque came into Snyder Arena and won the final three sets to take down Nebraska Wesleyan 3-1 in American Rivers Conference volleyball action on Friday night (Oct. 11).
 
NWU won the opening set 25-16, but the Spartans took the next three in scores of 25-21, 27-25, 25-22.
 
Both teams are now 2-2 in American Rivers Conference play with Dubuque going to 14-8 overall and NWU dropping to 10-6 after a second straight loss.
 
The Prairie Wolves were dominant to start the night jumping ahead 5-0 in set one and they never looked back.  Dubuque pulled within two points at 12-10, but that was as close as they would get.
 
From there, the Spartans turned to Grace Hintze who took over the match.  Hintze finished with a match-high 26 kills and a .339 hitting percentage.  She also had a double-double with 21 digs proving she was the best player on the court.
 
Set three was the most dramatic of the night as NWU made a huge comeback.  Dubuque led by as many as eight points at 15-7, and still led by five points at 20-15.  The Spartans got to set point at 24-21, then the Prairie Wolves reeled off three straight points highlighted by kills from Cora Svoboda and Hannah Bellinghausen to make it 24-24.  Dubquque took another set point at 25-25, then Bellinghausen responded again.  Two straight kills by the Spartans then closed the set.
 
NWU got up 4-0 in the fourth set and maintained the lead up to 12-11 before the Spartans went on a run.  Dubuque scored six of the next seven points and NWU never recovered.
 
The Prairie Wolves ended the match with 55 kills and a .165 hitting percentage.  Bellinghausen led the way with 16 kills hitting .283.  Svoboda was the other player in double figures with 12 kills.  Cassidy Plooster posted a double-double with 42 assists and 17 digs, with Kelsie Stovall leading the way with 39 digs.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan is right back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Loras College.