River Falls, Wis. – Nebraska Wesleyan volleyball opened the 2025 UWRF Falcon Invite in thrilling fashion on Friday, posting a pair of victories. The Prairie Wolves battled past Carleton College in four sets (25-23, 25-16, 15-25, 25-14) before taking down Bethel University in an evening showdown, 3-1 (30-32, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23). The victories push NWU to 5-1 on the season and move head coach Rayna Cain within one win of the 200-win milestone in her career at Nebraska Wesleyan.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Match One – NWU 3, Carleton 1 (25–23, 25–16, 15–25, 25–14)
The Prairie Wolves battled through an opening-set thriller to secure their first win of the tournament. Carleton jumped out to a 12–8 lead before a kill from sophomore Ella Foote sparked a 5–0 run. The Knights regained momentum late, but NWU responded with four straight points to close out the set 25–23.

In set two, the teams traded points early until the Prairie Wolves rattled off an 8–0 run, once again started by a Foote kill. Freshman outside hitter Macy Plucker capped the surge with a kill of her own to extend the lead to 22–13, and senior Grayson Piening finished the frame with a kill to secure the 25–16 win.

Carleton avoided the sweep in set three, controlling from start to finish to win 25–15. But NWU regrouped quickly in the fourth, dominating on both sides of the ball. The Prairie Wolves rolled to a 25–14 victory to close out the match, hitting efficiently and serving aggressively down the stretch.

Plucker led the way with 15 kills and seven digs, while libero Raegan Holle paced the defense with 18 digs. Senior outside Kobie Patten chipped in three of NWU's eight service aces, and freshman middle blocker Ava Stone recorded two blocks. As a team, NWU tallied 51 kills and 60 digs.

Match Two – NWU 3, Bethel 1 (30–32, 25–19, 25–16, 25–23)
The evening matchup brought even more drama as NWU rallied after dropping a marathon opening set. The Royals escaped with a 32–30 win in the first frame, but the Prairie Wolves roared back in the second, evening the match with a 25–19 victory behind a strong defensive effort.

From there, NWU seized control. The Prairie Wolves hit their stride offensively in the third, cruising to a 25–16 win. Junior right-side hitter Molly Ramirez was the focal point, hammering down a team-high 17 kills in the match.

The fourth set stayed close until the end, with Bethel pushing late. Strong blocking at the net from Stone and clutch swings from Ramirez and Plucker helped NWU hold firm. With the set at 23-all, Ramirez delivered a huge kill to make it match point. A Bethel attack error sealed a 25–23 victory to complete the 2–0 day.

Setter Elecea Saathoff directed the offense masterfully, recording 60 assists and adding three service aces. Holle anchored the defense once again with 26 digs, while Stone tallied four of the team's nine blocks. NWU's balanced effort resulted in 68 kills and 75 digs as a team.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Macy Plucker – Team-high 15 kills vs. Carleton
• Molly Ramirez – 17 kills to pace NWU against Bethel.
• Raegan Holle – Combined 44 digs on the day (18 vs. Carleton, 26 vs. Bethel).
• Elecea Saathoff – Career-high 60 assists vs. Bethel
• Ava Stone – Six total blocks (two vs. Carleton, four vs. Bethel).
• Kobie Patten – Three service aces in the opener.
• Team totals: 51 kills vs. Carleton, 68 kills vs. Bethel.

UP NEXT

Nebraska Wesleyan continues play at the UWRF Falcon Invite on Saturday, Sept. 6, with two more matches. The Prairie Wolves will open by facing (RV) North Park at 11:00 AM. The Prairie Wolves seek to give head coach Rayna Cain her 200th career victory at NWU.