Dubuque, IA - Nebraska Wesleyan volleyball dropped an intense five set match to #24 Dubuque, Saturday. The loss snapped a two game winning streak and sent NWU to 13-7 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set One: Dubuque set the tone early in set one, scoring the first point and jumping out to a 15-8 lead. The Prairie Wolves got back into the set on a Macy Plucker kill, that was followed by a Dubuque error and a kill from Kobie Patten, which made the score 15-11. However, the Spartans quickly responded with a 3-0 run of their own to retake a seven point lead. The Black and Gold refused to quit, as Jera Schuerman recorded two kills as NWU embarked on a 5-2 run to cut the deficit to three. However, the Spartans answered with three points of their own and would go on to win the set 25-21.

Set Two: In set two, it was Nebraska Wesleyan that got out to a hot start, as Jera Schuerman and Macy Plucker each posted two kills as NWU took an early 10-5 lead. The Spartans responded with a 10-4 run to pull ahead 15-14. Needing a spark to flip momentum, NWU turned to Ava Stone, who delivered a set tying kill, and helped NWU embark on a 5-1 run. The Spartans then scored six consecutive points to grab a 22-19 lead. With the set hanging in the balance, Nebraska Wesleyan dug deep and tied the match at 23 after a Dubuque error on a serve from Sydney Benson. When the Spartans managed to retake a 24-23 lead, NWU answered right back with kills from Molly Ramirez and Macy Plucker to take a 25-24 lead. The Prairie Wolves would outlast the Spartans in set two, 28-26.

Set Three: The Prairie Wolves rolled early in set three, as Ella Foote, Molly Ramirez, Macy Plucker, and Ava Stone each recorded kills as NWU took an 8-2 advantage. Dubuque answered with an 8-4 run to make the score 12-10, before Ella Foote delivered a momentum halting kill to give NWU a three point lead. The remainder of the set would see the two teams go back and forth, as Nebraska Wesleyan held Dubuque at arms reach before Macy Plucker put Nebraska Wesleyan up 2-1 with a set clinching kill. 

Set Four: Seeking to secure the upset, Nebraska Wesleyan claimed an early 1-0 lead on a Dubuque service error. However Dubuque answered with a 14-6 run and cruised to a 25-18 victory to push the match to a fifth set.

Set Five: Dubuque gained control of the fifth set early, claiming a 10-5 lead. With the match hanging in the balance, Nebraska Wesleyan fought desperately to get back in the set, as Jera Schuerman, Molly Ramirez, and Macy Plucker combined for six kills as Nebraska Wesleyan cut the Spartan lead to 12-11. However, Dubuque answered the Prairie Wolf flurry by scoring three of the next four points to claim a dramatic five set victory.

TEAM BOX SCORE
Points: NWU 78 | DU 73
Kills: NWU 62 | DU 65
Aces: NWU 7 | DU 5
Blocks: NWU 9 | DU 3
Assists: NWU 58 | DU 56
Digs: NWU 88 | DU 86

INDIVIDUAL BOX SCORE
Macy Plucker: 20 kills, 10 digs
Molly Ramirez: 16 kills
Jera Schuerman: 10 kills
Elecea Saathoff: 57 assists, 5 digs
Raegan Holle: 26 digs
Ella Foote: 4 blocks, 
Ava Stone: 4 blocks

UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan returns to Snyder Arena to host Doane on Wednesday, October 22nd, at 6:00 p.m.