2005 WIAC Women's Volleyball Headlines

2005 WIAC Women's Volleyball Headlines

Three Women's Volleyball Teams Among National Attendance Leaders

RELEASED: Friday, February 3, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball teams ranked among the attendance leaders in the NCAA Division III for the 2005 season.

UW-Oshkosh tied for 18th nationally, drawing 3,684 spectators in 15 home dates for an average of 245. UW-Superior placed 25th with 2,934 viewers in 13 home contests for an average of 225, while UW-Platteville tied for 33rd with 3,117 spectators in 15 home dates for an average of 207.

Whitworth (Wash.) led the NCAA Division III with 5,260 viewers in 12 home contests for an average of 438.

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Former Titan Named to NCAA Women's Volleyball 25th Anniversary Team

RELEASED: Thursday, December 22, 2005

Madison, Wis.--The NCAA has named six players, including former UW-Oshkosh standout Christina Southward, and two head coaches to its Division III Women's Volleyball 25th Anniversary Team.

The NCAA is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Women's Championships during the 2005-06 academic year and will name a 25th Anniversary Team for each sport and division celebrating this occasion.

Joining Southward as a player on the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball 25th Anniversary Team were Amy Albers of Washington University (Mo.), Heather Blough of Juniata College (Pa.), Abbie Brown of Central College (Iowa), Therese Dorigan of Elmhurst College (Ill.) and Nikki Van Duyne of the University of California-San Diego. Head coaches named to the squad were Larry Bock of Juniata College and Teri Clemens of Washington University.

The NCAA used a panel composed of current and former coaches, administrators, sports information directors, student-athletes and coaches association members to make the selections, relying on historical data and results from online public voting.

Southward collected three NCAA Division III All-America medals while playing setter for UW-Oshkosh from 1998 to 2001. The St. Anthony, Minn., native helped the Titans to a four-year record of 90-57, including marks of 30-9 in 2000 and 32-5 in 2001. UW-Oshkosh also captured the WIAC title in 2001 and advanced to the "Sweet Sixteen" of the NCAA Division III Championship in 2000 and 2001.

During her four seasons at UW-Oshkosh, Southward played in 508 of the Titans' 514 games. The four-time All-WIAC first team selection owns UW-Oshkosh career records with her 6,122 assists, 321 service aces and .436 hitting percentage. She ranks third in NCAA Division III history in career hitting percentage, fifth in career assists and seventh in career assists per game (12.05). Southward's career totals also include 1,634 digs, 1,081 kills and 319 blocks.

In 1998, Southward totaled 1,333 assists, 280 digs, 222 kills, 78 service aces, 48 blocks and a .378 hitting percentage. In 1999, she played in all 123 games for UW-Oshkosh and gained All-America second team honors after compiling 1,478 assists, 406 digs, 245 kills, 77 blocks, 63 service aces and a NCAA Division III-leading .464 hitting percentage.

Southward's excelled during the 2000 and 2001 campaigns when she helped the Titans to a 62-14 record. In 2000, Southward played in all 134 games for the Titans and received All-America first team mention after counting 1,846 assists, 442 digs, 305 kills, 95 blocks, 74 service aces and a NCAA Division III-leading .472 hitting percentage. Southward averaged 13.78 assists per game that season, a mark that currently ranks seventh in the NCAA Division III. In 2001, Southward earned WIAC Player of the Year and All-America first team accolades after totaling 1,465 assists, 506 digs, 309 kills, 106 service aces, 99 blocks and 15 triple-doubles.

The NCAA began sponsoring women's championships in 1981 and the first women's championship awarded was the 1981 Division III cross country title, won by Central College (Iowa). Today, the NCAA sponsors 44 women's championships in 20 sports, providing more than 150,000 women with an opportunity to compete each year.

The following NCAA women's sports are celebrating their 25th anniversary during the 2005-06 academic year: Divisions I and III women's field hockey; Divisions I, II and III women's cross country; Divisions I, II and III women's volleyball; Divisions I, II and III women's swimming & diving; Divisions I, II and III women's basketball; National Collegiate women's gymnastics; Divisions I, II and III women's tennis; Division I women's golf; Division I women's lacrosse; Division I women's rowing; Divisions I and II softball; and Divisions I, II and III women's outdoor track & field.

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UW-Whitewater's Boudreau Named National Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Monday, November 28, 2005

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater head coach Stacy Boudreau has been named the 2005 Tachikara/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year.

Boudreau led UW-Whitewater to the NCAA Division III Tournament national championship in just her first season with the program. UW-Whitewater, which returned five starters and 13 letterwinners from 2004, finished the year with a 40-4 overall record, including a 10-3 mark against teams currently ranked in the CSTV/AVCA Division III Coaches Top 25 Poll.

The Warhawks claimed a share of the WIAC regular-season championship, their fifth in the last six seasons, and the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Tournament crown. UW-Whitewater began the Elite Eight with a four-game win over top-ranked Emory University (Ga.) in a quarterfinal match. The Warhawks then proceeded to sweep sixth-ranked University of La Verne (Calif.) in the semifinals. UW-Whitewater won its second-ever NCAA Division III volleyball title with a five-game victory over defending national champion Juniata College (Pa.).

Boudreau becomes the second WIAC women's volleyball coach to claim the AVCA national coaching honor, joining UW-Whitewater's Kris Russell, who secured the award in 2002, 2000, 1995 and 1988.

Tachikara will formally present the AVCA Division III National Coach of the Year award on December 15 in San Antonio at the Tachikara/AVCA Coach of the Year and Victory Club Awards banquet. The brunch in held in conjunction with the 2005 AVCA Annual Convention.

Tachikara can be found on the world wide web at www.tachikara.com.

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UW-Whitewater Claims Women's Volleyball National Championship

Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater claimed the NCAA Division III National Championship with a 30-25, 30-25, 22-30, 27-30, 15-12 victory over defending national champion Juniata College (Pa.) on November 19 at the Salem Civic Center.

Game one was tied at 23-23, when UW-Whitewater outscored Juniata 7-2 for the win. Game two was tied 8-8 when UW-Whitewater went on a 9-1 run to lead 17-9 and the Warhawks maintained the margin the rest of the way. Juniata led game three from 7-6 on, with the final score the largest margin in the game. Juniata led 2-1 in game four, then not again until 28-27 on the way to the win. UW-Whitewater led all of game five, going up 4-0 and leading by five, at 8-3 and 12-7, before Rebekah Nelson ended the match with a kill.

UW-Whitewater was led in the championship match by Rebekah Nelson and Cassie Uttech with 19 and 17 kills respectively. Abbie Mueller had 51 assists and eight block assists, adding to eight blocks (two solo) by Alison Miller. Abby Schultz had 29 digs, second-highest on the team this season. Juniata's Rachael Schatz had 23 kills, Stephanie Kines had five service aces, and the Eagles had six players in double figures in digs, led by Tara McMinn's 19. UW-Whitewater hit .176 and Juniata hit .196.

UW-Whitewater was represented on the All-Final Eight Team by Uttech and Nelson. Setter Abbie Mueller was named Most Outstanding Player in the Final Eight.

"This is amazing, I just love it," Mueller said. "I can't describe it. We came in as the underdogs. Maybe they weren't ready for us."

"This is just the most incredible feeling," UW-Whitewater head coach Stacy Boudreau commented. "I'm so happy that I could keep the program successful. Only one team finishes the season with a win and this time it was us. There is no better feeling in the world."

"We want to serve aggressively and get teams out of their rhythm. Our serving was just incredible in all three wins," Boudreau added.

UW-Whitewater completed the 2005 season with a 40-4 record, while Juniata finished the season with a 37-2 record and had its 32-match winning streak snapped. The Warhawks' 40-4 record is the fourth-best winning percentage (.909) in the 38-year history of the women's volleyball program and the 40 wins ties the fourth-highest victory total.

UW-Whitewater improved to 4-2 all-time versus Juniata, with four of those coming in NCAA tournament play. The Warhawks topped the Eagles in the 2002 semifinals played in Whitewater, and in the 2000 semifinals in Pella, Iowa. Juniata defeated UW-Whitewater in the third-place match at the 1988 finals in San Diego, Calif.

The championship is the second for the UW-Whitewater women's volleyball program, which also won in 2002, and the sixth national championship for a UW-Whitewater team. The others, in addition to the two volleyball, were 2005 baseball, 1984 and 1989 men's basketball, and the 1985 women's golf team. All of them were in NCAA III play, except women's golf was the National Golf Coaches Association Division III championship.

UW-Whitewater volleyball was making its 14th consecutive NCAA III volleyball championship tournament appearance. In addition to the two national titles, UW-W has finished second three times (2001, 2000, 1995) and fourth in 1988.

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UW-Whitewater Advances To Women's Volleyball Final Four

Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship with a 30-27, 22-30, 30-28, 30-25 victory over Emory (Ga.) on November 17 at the Salem Civic Center.

UW-Whitewater (38-4) will play the University of La Verne (Calif.) (24-8) in a national semifinal match on November 18 at 3:30 p.m. (Central). The other semifinal will feature Wittenberg University (Ohio) (35-4) and Juniata College (Pa.) (36-1) at 6:00 p.m. The championship match is set for 6:00 p.m. on November 19.

Emory entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll, while UW-Whitewater is ranked No. 7.

Cassie Uttech and Kim Fruit tallied 15 kills apiece in the match against Emory to help UW-Whitewater reach the semifinal round for the sixth time in school history.

The Warhawks jumped to a 1-0 lead after taking a 30-27 win in game one. A pair of Rebekah Nelson kills sandwiched around a Uttech spike helped UW-Whitewater pull away from a 23-23 tie.

"The first game was big," said first-year Warhawk head coach Stacy Boudreau. "It was a big momentum boost and gave us a lift for the rest of the match."

Emory put game two away quickly en route to a 30-22 win. The Eagles got five kills from Janet Bunning during an 11-0 run that built a 15-4 lead.

Game three saw the Warhawks sprint away again from a late deadlock. A block from Carley Polk and Nelson put UW-Whitewater up 25-24. Nelson added a kill and an Eagle attack error pushed the margin to three and UW-Whitewater was able to take a 2-1 lead following a 30-28 triumph.

UW-Whitewater used the momentum to generate a flying start in game four with the Warhawks scoring the game's first six points. The Eagles got to within three on two occasions, but couldn't pull any closer as UW-Whitewater ended the match with a 30-25 game four victory. The Warhawks hit a blistering .413 in the fourth game.

Nelson added 14 kills for UW-Whitewater. Abbie Mueller was responsible for a match-high 58 assists. Uttech and Fruit completed double-doubles with 18 digs each.

Bunning's 15 kills were tops for Emory. Courtney Rose chipped in with 11 kills, six aces and a team-leading 16 digs.

UW-Whitewater outhit Emory .249-.152 and held a 69-58 edge in kills. The Warhawks also outblocked their foes 11-4.

UW-Whitewater owns a 3-2 series advantage against La Verne, but they have not met since the 2002 season.

"We look for a good match," stated Boudreau. "We're excited about today, but we've got a lot of prep to get ready for tomorrow."

UW-Whitewater is making its 14th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III women's volleyball championship tournament. The Warhawks won the title in 2002, finished second in 2001, 2000 and 1995 and fourth in 1988.

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Eight Claim AVCA All-America Accolades

RELEASED: Thursday, November 17, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball players have been named to the 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III All-America Team. UW-Oshkosh's Ashley Fischer was named to the first team, while UW-Whitewater's Abbie Mueller was a second team selection and UW-Oshkosh's Leah Rosenbaum was a third team pick. UW-Eau Claire's Molly Menard and Jenny Wolter, UW-La Crosse's Jessica Freund, UW-Platteville's Dana Alf and UW-Whitewater's Alison Miller were honorable mention choices.

Fischer, a senior setter from Fond du Lac, Wis., becomes the sixth individual in UW-Oshkosh history to claim AVCA All-America First Team status. She ranks second in the WIAC with 0.52 service aces per game, fourth with 12.29 assists per game and 10th with 3.37 digs per game. Fischer's 1,721 assists this season were the fifth-highest total in UW-Oshkosh history.

Mueller, a senior setter from West Bend, Wis. (East H.S.), was named the conference player of the year earlier this season. She leads the league with 0.54 service aces per game, while placing second with 12.39 assists per game and 14th with 0.92 blocks per game. Mueller is fifth in the UW-Whitewater record book with 3,088 career assists, sixth with 200 career service aces and seventh with 1,339 career digs.

Rosenbaum, a sophomore middle blocker from Wrightstown, Wis., leads the league with a .391 hitting percentage, while ranking second with 3.96 kills per game and sixth with 1.16 blocks per game. Her 558 kills during the 2005 campaign were the fifth-best mark in UW-Oshkosh history.

Menard, a senior outside hitter from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), leads the association with 4.22 kills per game, while ranking 11th with a .250 hitting percentage. She registered double-digit kills in 29 of 35 matches this year, including 21 consecutive matches to end the season.

Wolter, a senior outside hitter from Osceola, Wis., ranks second in the WIAC with a .368 hitting percentage, fifth with 3.56 kills per game and 19th with 0.84 blocks per game. She compiled double-digit kills in 25 of 35 matches during the 2005 campaign.

Freund, a sophomore outside hitter from Mt. Calvary, Wis. (New Holstein H.S.), ranks sixth in the conference with 3.47 kills per game, 12th with 3.33 digs per game and 13th with a .244 hitting percentage. She had double-digit kills in 24 of 32 matches this season and her 403 kills rank 11th on UW-La Crosse's single-season list.

Alf, a junior middle hitter from Eleva, Wis. (Eleva-Strum H.S.), becomes the fourth Pioneer to earn AVCA all-america honors. She ranks fourth in the WIAC with a .334 hitting percentage, seventh with 3.34 kills per game and 12th with 0.94 blocks per game. Alf reached double-digit kills in 19 matches this season and ranks fifth in school history with 1,122 career kills. She was named the NCAA Division III AVCA Freshman of the Year in 2003.

Miller, a senior middle blocker from West Bend, Wis. (West H.S.), places third in the WIAC with a .356 hitting percentage and eighth with 0.99 blocks per game. She is eighth on UW-Whitewater's career list with 362 blocks and 16th with 839 kills.

The AVCA also recently announced the 2005 NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region Team. All eight individuals that were named to the All-America Team received first team status, while UW-Oshkosh's Samantha Schmidt, UW-Platteville's Rachel Schueller, UW-River Falls' Andrea Geehan and UW-Whitewater's Cassie Uttech were honorable mention choices. Schmidt was also named the Midwest Region Freshman of the Year.

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UW-Oshkosh's Schaefer Named Midwest Region Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Thursday, November 17, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh women's volleyball head coach Brian Schaefer has been named the 2005 Tachikara/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

Schaefer, in his first full season as head coach, led the Titans to a 36-5 record, the WIAC regular season title and their 10th NCAA Division III Tournament berth. UW-Oshkosh posted a 4-4 record against current top 25 teams and is ranked 10th in the latest CSTV/AVCA Division III Coaches Top 25 Poll.

UW-Oshkosh improved from 22-11 last season to 36-5 this year after being picked seventh in the WIAC Preseason Poll. The Titans finished with the fewest losses in school history and reached the 30-win plateau for the first time since 2001.

Schaefer was named the WIAC Coach of the Year this season and owns a 46-11 career record after serving as interim head coach for 16 matches a year ago.

Schaefer will be officially presented with the award at the Tachikara/AVCA Coach of the Year and Victory Club Awards banquet in Long Beach, Calif., on December 15, at the AVCA Annual Convention.

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Four Earn Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Honors

RELEASED: Thursday, November 10, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2005 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Volleyball Team. UW-Eau Claire's Shanna Berger and UW-La Crosse's Jenny Randall were named to the first team, while UW-Eau Claire's Molly Menard was a second team selection and UW-Whitewater's Kim Fruit was a third team choice.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Berger, a senior libero from Baldwin, Wis. (Baldwin-Woodville H.S.), carries a 3.96 grade point average with a major in chemistry and a minor in business. She claimed all-WIAC defensive team for the second straight year this season and ranks fifth in the conference with 4.25 digs per game.

Randall, a senior setter from White Bear Lake, Minn., is majoring in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy and maintains a 3.83 grade point average. She was named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete this year and secured all-WIAC defensive team honors for the third time in her career. Randall holds the school record with 2,287 career digs, while ranking second on the league chart.

Berger and Randall are eligible for the Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on November 30.

Menard, a senior outside hitter from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), carries a 3.82 grade point average and is majoring in business administration. She claimed all-WIAC first team honors this year after leading the conference with 4.17 kills per game. Menard received honorable mention accolades during the 2003 season.

Fruit, a senior outside hitter from Viola, Wis. (Richland Center H.S.), boasts a 3.83 grade point average and is majoring in accounting. She has secured all-WIAC honorable mention status the last two years and places third in the league with 4.29 digs per game this season.

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UW-Whitewater Earns Trip To NCAA Women's Volleyball Quarterfinals

Oshkosh, Wis.--UW-Whitewater captured the championship of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Midwest Regional by surviving a five-game match with Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival UW-Eau Claire on November 12 in Oshkosh, Wis.

UW-Whitewater, the regional's fourth seed, overcame deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 in games won to take the contest in scores of 18-30, 30-28, 33-35, 30-26, 16-14. The Warhawks (37-4) advanced to their title match by posting 3-0 victories over Elmhurst (IL) on November 10 and UW-Platteville on November 11.

The win over UW-Eau Claire (30-5), the regional's second seed, moves UW-Whitewater to the quarterfinal round of the 60-team NCAA Division III Championship. The Warhawks will play their quarterfinal round contest on November 17 in Salem, Va., against Emory (GA). The Eagles (33-5) qualified for their match with UW-Whitewater by defeating Austin (TX), 3-1, in the championship contest of the South Regional.

UW-Eau Claire vaulted to a 15-6 lead in game after scoring eight consecutive points. The Blugolds connected for kills on their first seven attempts and did not have a hitting error until leading 18-6. UW-Eau Clare maintained a double digit lead the entire game and led 29-13 before UW-Whitewater scored five straight points. The Blugolds recorded 17 kills and a .438 hitting percentage in the game. UW-Whitewater finished with only 10 kills and a .057 hitting percentage.

Game two was close throughout as neither team held more than a three-point lead. Tied 26-26, UW-Whitewater scored three unanswered points to hold game point at 29-26. After a side out, the Blugolds closed to within 29-28 before the Warhawks ended the game. UW-Whitewater outhit UW-Eau Claire in the game, .194-.105.

Tied again 26-26 in game three, UW-Whitewater scored three straight points for a 29-26 lead and a chance to take a 2-1 advantage in the match. After a side out, the Blugolds answered with their own three-point scoring run to serve for game point at 30-29. UW-Whitewater rallied back and served for game point at 31-30, 32-31 and 33-32 before UW-Eau Claire scored three unanswered points, including a game-winning service ace, The two teams combined for 40 kills in the game, with the Blugolds hitting .286 and the Warhawks .175.

UW-Eau Claire held a 14-11 lead in game four after a six-point scoring run. UW-Whitewater fought back to tie the score at 15-15 and the teams remained within two points of each other until UW-Whitewater ended the game by winning six of the last nine points. UW-Whitewater held an 18-11 advantage in kills and recorded four service aces.

UW-Eau Claire scored the first three points of the fifth game before UW-Whitewater finally sided out. After tying the score at 7-7, the Warhawks pulled ahead 12-8 after a three-point run. UW-Eau Claire responded with a four point scoring run to knot the score at 12-12. The game was tied at 13-13 and 14-14 before a kill by Kim Fruit gave the Warhawks a 15-14 lead. UW-Eau Claire lost the match on a hitting error. Both teams had nine kills in the game, including seven by the Blugolds' Molly Menard.

The Warhawks were led by a trio of double-digit kill performances. Alison Miller led the team with 17 kills, while Rebekah Nelson had 16 and Fruit 13. Abbie Mueller dished out 59 assists and added 14 digs. Cassie Uttech finished with a match-high five service aces and counted 11 digs. The Warhawks also received 17 digs from Fruit, 15 digs from Abby Schultz and 12 blocks from Carley Polk.

The Blugolds received 24 kills from Menard and 56 assists and 25 digs from Carly Freiborg. Carly's sister Abby scooped up 18 digs and Shanna Berger 20. Jenny Wolter slammed home 17 kills, while Jessica Groh added a double-double with 13 kills and 10 blocks.

UW-Eau Claire held advantages in kills (74-70) and hitting percentage (.237-.172), but couldn't overcome 14 receiving errors. UW-Eau Claire, which opened the regional with wins of 3-0 over Lakeland and 3-1 over the UW-Oshkosh, also topped UW-Whitewater in digs by a 93-75 count.

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UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater Advance to NCAA Women's Volleyball Regional Final

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater advanced to the final of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Midwest Regional with victories on November 11 at Kolf Sports Center. The conference duo will square off at 7:00 p.m. on November 12 in Oshkosh with the winner earning a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals, which will be held November 17 in Salem, Va.

UW-Eau Claire, seeded second in the regional, defeated third-seeded UW-Oshkosh 30-26, 30-21, 17-30, 30-26.

UW-Oshkosh overcame an 8-4 deficit in game one by scoring nine of the next 11 points to take a 13-10 lead. UW-Eau Claire rallied back to take a 16-15 lead and held the advantage the rest of the game. The Titans pulled to within 26-24, but the Blugolds captured the victory by scoring four of the game's final six points. UW-Oshkosh hit .270 in the game with 15 kills, while UW-Eau Claire hit .240 with 20 kills.

UW-Eau Claire jumped to a 9-3 lead in game two, but UW-Oshkosh stormed back with a 9-3 scoring run of its own to even the count at 12-12. The Blugolds pulled away from a 20-19 lead by scoring 10 of the game's final 12 points. UW-Eau Claire hit .308 in the game with 16 kills, while UW-Oshkosh hit a match-low .132 with just 10 kills.

UW-Oshkosh never trailed in game three as it increased a 6-5 lead into a 17-8 advantage. The Titans led 25-17 before rattling off five unanswered points to win the game. UW-Oshkosh hit a match-high .424 in the game with 17 kills. UW-Eau Claire hit just .154 with 14 kills.

Game four was tied 14 times, with the last being 23-23. UW-Eau Claire ended the game and the match by scoring seven of the last 10 points. The Blugolds hit .395 in the game with 14 kills, while the Titans hit .200 with 15 kills.

UW-Eau Claire hit .275 for the match. The Blugolds also totaled 71 kills, 66 assists, 60 digs and 10 blocks. UW-Oshkosh hit .250 for the match with 57 kills, 63 digs, 55 assists and 15 blocks.

Jenny Wolter totaled 21 kills to lead the Blugolds, while Jodi Dunbar and Molly Menard added 14 each and Jessica Groh 11. The Blugolds also benefited from the 52 assists, 12 digs and seven kills of Carly Freiborg and the 27 digs of Shanna Berger.

Katie Beining had 19 kills and eight digs for the Titans, while Leah Rosenbaum contributed 12 kills and three solo blocks. UW-Oshkosh also received 48 assists, 14 digs and two service aces from Ashley Fischer, 17 digs from Samantha Schmidt and 10 kills from Kim Vail. Schmidt concluded the year with 805 digs, a new WIAC single-season record.

The loss to UW-Eau Claire ended UW-Oshkosh's 10th NCAA Division III postseason appearance. The Titans, who were picked to finish seventh in the WIAC standings at the beginning of the year, finished the 2005 season with a 36-5 record. The won-lost mark was UW-Oshkosh's best since a 40-5 record in 1996.

UW-Whitewater, seeded fourth in the regional, defeated top-seeded UW-Platteville 30-26, 30-26, 30-21.

UW-Platteville opened game one by jumping out to an 8-4 lead. UW-Whitewater then scored 10 of the next 14 points to take a 14-12 advantage. Following five straight points by the Pioneers and then seven consecutive points by the Warhawks, UW-Whitewater built a 21-17 lead and held on the rest of the game. UW-Whitewater hit .250 in its opening game, compared to just .064 for UW-Platteville.

UW-Platteville, which defeated UW-Whitewater on November 4 in the semifinal round of the WIAC Tournament, took a 13-10 lead in game two after overcoming a 10-6 deficit. UW-Whitewater bounced back to take a 23-18 lead and controlled the game the rest of the way. The Warhawks hit .163 in the second game, while the Pioneers hit just .058.

UW-Platteville sprinted to leads of 8-5 and 11-9 in game three before UW-Whitewater rallied back to take a 20-14 advantage after a 6-0 scoring run. The Warhawks scored seven of the last nine points to close the scoring for the game and the match. UW-Whitewater hit .243 in game three, compared to just .049 for UW-Platteville.

UW-Platteville had a 40-38 advantage in kills, but committed 19 more hitting errors than the Warhawks. UW-Whitewater ended the match hitting .216, compared to just .057 for UW-Platteville.

Rebekah Nelson led UW-Whitewater with nine kills, while Alison Mueller added eight and Cassie Uttech seven. Abbie Mueller totaled a team-high 27 assists and Abby Schultz a team-best 14 digs.

UW-Platteville was led by the 13 kills of Rachel Chapman, 35 assists of Kelley Laschinger and 19 digs of Miranda Hall. The Pioneers also received 11 digs, six kills and two assists from Carrie Morschauser.

UW-Whitewater takes a 36-4 record into the Midwest Regional championship match with second-seed UW-Eau Claire (30-4).

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Conference Quartet Advances In Women's Volleyball Midwest Regional

Oshkosh, Wis.--All four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) schools participating in the 2005 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Midwest Regional at Kolf Sports Center advanced to the second round of the regional with victories on November 10.

UW-Whitewater posted a 30-24, 30-23, 30-23 decision over Elmhurst (Ill.), while UW-Eau Claire defeated Lakeland 30-21, 30-19, 30-23, UW-Platteville upended St. Norbert 30-19, 30-23, 30-17 and UW-Oshkosh beat Carthage 27-30, 30-19, 30-22, 25-30, 15-13.

In matchups that reflect the pairings from the semifinals of last weekend's WIAC Tournament, UW-Whitewater will face UW-Platteville at 4:30 p.m. on November 11, while UW-Oshkosh will face UW-Platteville at 7 p.m.

UW-Whitewater opened play in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Midwest Regional by posting a 30-24, 30-23, 30-23 win over Elmhurst College (Ill.). UW-Whitewater, seeded fourth in the eight-team regional, improved its record to 35-4 with the victory. Elmhurst College, the regional's fifth seed, closed its 2005 season with a 31-10 record.

UW-Whitewater never trailed in the match after an 11-11 tie in game one. Elmhurst College slipped to 1-11 against UW-Whitewater since the 2000 season.

Game one began with UW-Whitewater jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Trailing 5-1, Elmhurst College rattled off six of the next seven points to take a 7-6 advantage. UW-Whitewater evened the score and the two teams traded points until the count was even at 11. The Warhawks ran off the next five points to grab a 16-11 advantage and never looked back. UW-Whitewater ran its lead to as many as six points on five occasions, with Elmhurst College getting no closer than four points the rest of the way.

UW-Whitewater never trailed in game two, storming out to an 11-5 advantage. Elmhurst College scored six of the next seven points to pull within 12-11, but UW-Whitewater responded by winning the next four points to take a 16-11 lead. The Bluejays never got closer than a 17-15 tally. UW-Whitewater built its lead to three points at 22-19 and then began to pull away, winning eight of the final 12 points to take the game.

Game three started close as the score was even after the first 12 points. UW-Whitewater then reeled off a 10-3 scoring run to take a 16-9 lead. Elmhurst College rallied back by scoring seven straight points to knot the score at 16. UW-Whitewater came right back winning eight of the next 10 points to grab a 24-18 lead. The two teams traded points the rest of the way, with Whitewater taking the game by seven points.

UW-Whitewater hit .220 for the match, compared to just .000 for Elmhurst College. The Warhawks committed just 15 hitting errors, while Elmhurst College tallied 31.

Rebekah Nelson led the Warhawks with 10 kills, 14 digs and eight blocks. Allison Miller added eight kills and five blocks while Cassie Uttech and Carley Polk each finished with seven kills. Polk also added eight blocks in the win. Abbie Mueller led UW-Whitewater with 35 assists and five service aces, while adding 14 digs and six kills. Kim Fruit also finished with 14 digs.

Erin Whitehead led Elmhurst College with 11 kills and 14 digs. Katie Ackerman and Nicole Carlson each finished with six kills. Carlson also contributed 10 digs, while Jessica Nelson finished with 14 digs. Lindsay Johnson led the Bluejays with 28 assists and 15 digs.

UW-Eau Claire women's volleyball team swept through its first match of the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional by defeating seventh-seed Lakeland College (Wis.). The Blugolds took the match in game scores of 30-21, 30-19, 30-23.

The Blugolds and the Muskies kept relatively close in the first game. Each team made a couple of small runs, but hung in until the score was 21-20 in favor of UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds then went on a 9-1 scoring run to capture game one. They hit .175 with 14 kills and seven errors. Lakeland College had a .176 hitting percentage, 12 kills, and six errors.

UW-Eau Claire then ran away with game two. At 9-8, the Blugolds never looked back and led for the rest of the match. The hitting percentage came in at .455 with 18 kills and three errors. Game two saw a .063 game for the Muskies. They also had 10 kills and eight errors.

UW-Eau Claire had a fast start in the last game, going up 12-4. The Blugolds finished strong as well with a 9-3 scoring run to finish off the match. UW-Eau Claire hit .324, had 15 kills, and committed four errors. The Muskies were held to a .049 hitting percentage and 11 kills. They had nine errors.

For UW-Eau Claire, Molly Menard dominated play by having 18 kills. Jodi Dunbar was behind her at 13 kills. Carly Freiborg had the most assists with 41. Shanna Berger led in digs with 10, while Jessie Groh totaled a team-best seven blocks.

For Lakeland, Heather Heberlein led the team with 15 kills. Lana Neuman had 20 of the Muskies 30 assists. Leading the team in digs was Ashley Domask with a total of 16.

The Blugolds had 11 blocks, while the Muskies had six. UW-Eau Claire also had advantages of 47-33 in kills and .308-.093 in hitting percentage.

Lakeland College ended its season with a 23-16 record. The Muskies' loss to the Blugolds concluded their fourth NCAA Division III postseason appearance.

UW-Eau Claire takes a 29-4 record into its regional semifinal against third-seed UW-Oshkosh (36-4).

Big scoring runs by UW-Platteville were the story of the match as the top-seeded Pioneers dispatched eighth-seed St. Norbert College (Wis.) in an opening round contest of the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

UW-Platteville took the match by a 3-0 count, winning games of 30-19, 30-23, 30-17. It was just the second NCAA Division III postseason win for the Pioneers.

UW-Platteville led the first game 15-11 before going on a 10-2 run to take firm control. St. Norbert College led 20-18 in the second game before the Pioneers reeled off an eight-point skein for a 26-20 lead. The Pioneers then parlayed an 11-8 lead in game three into a 21-11 advantage as the impetus to the sweep.

St. Norbert College hit just .055 (31-24-128) for the match. Joanna Mamayek had nine kills, while Kate Meehan had seven kills and hit .318 (7-0-22). Jess Radocay finished with 17 digs, giving her a career total of 2,556, good for sixth-best all-time in NCAA Division III history.

UW-Platteville hit a strong .241 in the match and had eight blocks. Dana Alf led the Pioneers with 14 kills, with Rachel Schueller adding 11 kills. Kelly Laschinger had a match-high 42 assists, while libero Miranda Hall added 22 digs.

UW-Platteville (29-7), which moved its winning streak to 10, advances to play fourth-seeded UW Whitewater (35-4) in a regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 11) in Oshkosh. UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater split their 2005 meetings. The Warhawks won the regular season meeting 3-1, while the Pioneers claimed a 3-2 victory in the semifinals of the WIAC Tournament held last Friday (Nov. 4) in Whitewater.

St. Norbert College, which had won 12 consecutive matches entering the Midwest Regional, ends its season with a 30-7 record.

UW-Oshkosh overcame a 9-7 deficit in the fifth and deciding game to edge Carthage College (Wis.), 3-2, in an opening round contest of the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

UW-Oshkosh improved its record to 36-4 on the season by ousting Carthage College in game scores of 27-30, 30-19, 30-22, 25-30, 15-13. The victory advances the third-seeded Titans to the regional semifinal, where they'll meet second-seed UW-Eau Claire (29-4) at 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 11) in Oshkosh.

Carthage College, which also lost a 3-2 decision to UW-Oshkosh in the 1990 NCAA Division III Championship, ends the season with a 30-7 record. The Lady Reds were seeded sixth in the Midwest Regional.

In game one, Carthage College jumped out to a 9-4 lead and still led by five, 12-7, before the Titans tied the game, 14-14. Carthage College led by no more than three points before UW-Oshkosh tied things up at 24-24. The Lady Reds ran off four straight points to take a 28-24 lead. Trailing by four, 29-25, the Titans closed to within two, 29-27, before Carthage College closed things out at 30-27. Carthage College held a 22-15 advantage in kills in the game.

In game two, UW-Oshkosh opened up a 7-2 lead. Carthage College tied the game, 9-9, before the Titans opened up an eight-point lead, 19-11 Leading by four, 23-19, the Titans ran off seven-straight points to win game two, 30-19. UW-Oshkosh had five service aces in the game.

Game three started out as tight, with neither team leading by more than two points until UW-Oshkosh took a five-point lead, 18-13. The Titans extended their margin to seven, 24-17, and Carthage College got no closer than five, 25-20, as the Titans went on to win by eight points, 30-22. UW-Oshkosh had a 18-12 advantage in kills in the game.

In game four, the Lady Reds jumped out to a 13-6 lead. UW-Oshkosh closed to within four, 14-10, before Carthage College went back up by seven, 19-12. The Titans went on 6-2 run to make it a three-point contest, 21-18. Carthage College had another three-point lead, 22-19, before using a 6-3 run to go back up by seven, 28-21, en route to a 30-25 decision. UW-Oshkosh held a 16-14 advantage in kills in the game, but was outhit .458 to .222.

In game five, Carthage College led most of the way, albeit by a narrow margin. The Titans tied the game, 9-9, took their first lead, 10-9, and then went on a late spurt to take a three-point lead, 13-10. The Lady Reds cut the lead to two, 13-11. UW-Oshkosh went back up by three, 14-11. Carthage College made it a one-point game, 14-13, before the Titans won it, 15-13. UW-Oshkosh outhit Carthage College by a .471 to .250 count in the game.

UW-Oshkosh was led by Katie Beining, Ashley Fischer and Leah Rosenbaum. Beining totaled 18 kills, 11 digs and three service aces, while Fischer compiled 56 assists, 15 digs and six blocks. Rosenbaum tabulated 20 kills and six blocks. The Titans also received 12 kills and three blocks from Kim Vail and 12 digs and 11 kills from Megan Galonski.

The Lady Reds were led by Emily Cahoon who had 43 assists and 15 digs. Kelly Bauer had 19 kills and four service aces, Becky Handley 26 digs and Lauren Eggert 12 kills and 25 digs. Tiffany Thorsell and Jenny Lachman each had five blocks.

Both teams totaled 70 kills and 66 assists in the evenly played match. UW-Oshkosh pulled out the win by hitting .283, compared to .237 for Carthage College. The Lady Reds held advantages of 86-73 in digs and 12-10 in service aces.

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UW-Whitewater's Mueller Leads All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team

RELEASED: Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Abbie Mueller was voted the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year to lead the 12 individuals that were named to the all-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team, which was recently selected by the league coaches.

Mueller led the Warhawks to their second straight conference championship and eighth in the last 10 seasons this year, along with their 14th straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She leads the league with 12.52 assists per game, while ranking second with 0.51 service aces per game and 14th with 0.70 blocks per game. Her crisp passing helped UW-Whitewater rank second in the conference with a .275 hitting percentage.

Mueller has played in 37 of 38 matches and 116 of 126 games for the Warhawks this season. She recorded a season-high 64 assists against UW-Oshkosh on November 5 and has registered 13 double-doubles (assists-digs).

Her 2,967 career assists rank fifth in school history and the Warhawks have compiled a 132-34 record in her four seasons.

Mueller becomes the third Warhawk to win the league's player of the year award, joining Angie Wildish (2002) and Allison Erickson (2001).

Joining Mueller on the first team were teammates Alison Miller and Cassie Uttech. Miller ranks third in the WIAC with a .357 hitting percentage, seventh with 1.01 blocks per game and 18th with 2.91 kills per game.

Uttech secured first team honors for the second straight season and third time in her career. She was also a first team pick in 2002 when she attended UW-Oshkosh. This year, she places 14th in the league with 0.39 service aces per game, 15th with 3.21 digs per game and 16th with 3.07 kills per game.

UW-Eau Claire's Molly Menard and Jenny Wolter helped the team reach the NCAA Division III Tournament and record the most wins (28) since the 1997 team had 32. UW-Eau Claire's four losses this season are the second fewest in school history. Menard leads the league with 4.17 kills per game, while ranking 17th with a .241 hitting percentage. She claimed honorable mention accolades in 2003.

Wolter places second in the conference with a .364 hitting percentage, fifth with 3.54 kills per game and 15th with 0.88 blocks per game. She was a honorable mention pick in 2004.

UW-La Crosse's Tanya Foldy and Jessica Freund helped the squad achieve the 20-win plateau for the 11th straight year. Foldy earned first team honors for the second time in her career, ranking fifth in the WIAC with 11.48 assists per game. She is first in the school record book and second on the conference chart with 5,938 career assists. Foldy was a first team selection in 2003 and secured honorable mention honors a season ago.

Freund places sixth in the conference with 3.47 kills per game, 12th with 3.33 digs per game, 14th with a .244 hitting percentage and 19th with 0.35 service aces per game.

UW-Oshkosh claimed their seventh conference title in school history, a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament and had two individuals secure first team status. Ashley Fischer leads the league with 0.53 service aces per game, while ranking third with 12.34 assists per game, 11th with 3.37 digs per game and 17th with 0.88 blocks per game. She was a honorable mention choice in 2003.

Leah Rosenbaum leads the conference with a .395 hitting percentage, while placing second with 3.98 kills per game and sixth with 1.14 blocks per game. She captured honorable mention status last year.

UW-River Falls had a pair of individuals claim first team accolades. Andrea Geehan places third in the league with 3.77 kills per game, sixth with a .300 hitting percentage and 20th with 0.84 blocks per game. She was a honorable mention selection in 2004.

Kat Krtnick ranks seventh with 8.60 assists per game, 12th with 0.40 service aces per game and 16th with 3.19 digs per game. She was a honorable mention pick a season ago.

UW-Platteville's Rachel Schueller helped the Pioneers claim the WIAC Tournament title and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She ranks eighth in the conference with 1.01 blocks per game, 11th with 3.15 kills per game and 12th with a .251 hitting percentage.

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire's Carly Freiborg, UW-Oshkosh's Katie Beining and Samantha Schmidt, UW-Platteville's Dana Alf, UW-River Falls' Kate Thompson, UW-Stevens Point's Shelly Maus, UW-Stout's Jenny McDermid, UW-Superior's Katie O'Hara and Molly Ray and UW-Whitewater's Kim Fruit.

The conference coaches also recognized a four-member all-defensive team for the 2005 season. Individuals named to the team included: UW-Eau Claire's Shanna Berger, UW-La Crosse's Jenny Randall, UW-Oshkosh's Samantha Schmidt and UW-Platteville's Miranda Hall.

Berger claimed all-defensive honors for the second straight year and ranks fifth in the conference with 4.26 digs per game and ninth with 0.43 service aces per game.

Randall places second in the league with 5.35 digs per game and 10th with 0.42 service aces per game. She has now captured all-defensive accolades three times in her career (2005, 2004, 2002). Randall leads the UW-La Crosse record book and ranks second on the WIAC chart with 2,287 career digs.

Schmidt leads the conference with 5.91 digs per game and ranks 17th with 0.37 service aces per game, while Hall places fourth with 4.26 digs per game. Hall was recognized on the all-defensive squad for the second straight year.

UW-Oshkosh head coach Brian Schaefer was voted the Coach of the Year by the league coaches after directing the Titans to the WIAC regular season title and the most wins (35) since the 1996 squad had 40. Schaefer is in his first full season as head coach of the Titans after taking over top duties the last 16 matches of the 2004 campaign and has compiled a 45-10 record.

2005 All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team

First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Ashley Fischer, Oshkosh, Senior, Setter, Fond du Lac
Tanya Foldy, La Crosse, Senior, Setter, Muskego
Jessica Freund, La Crosse, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, Mt. Calvary (New Holstein)
Andrea Geehan, River Falls, Junior, Middle Hitter, St. Paul, Minn. (Como Park)
Kat Krtnick, River Falls, Junior, Setter/Outside Hitter, Fridley, Minn.
Molly Menard, Eau Claire, Senior, Outside Hitter, Eau Claire (Memorial)
Alison Miller, Whitewater, Senior, Middle Hitter, West Bend (West)
Abbie Mueller, Whitewater, Senior, Setter, West Bend (East)
Leah Rosenbaum, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Middle Blocker, Wrightstown
Rachel Schueller, Platteville, Senior, Middle Hitter, Dubuque, Iowa (Hempstead)
Cassie Uttech, Whitewater, Senior, Outside Hitter, Watertown
Jenny Wolter, Eau Claire, Senior, Outside Hitter, Osceola

Honorable Mention
Dana Alf, Platteville, Junior, Middle Hitter, Eleva (Eleva-Strum)
Katie Beining, Oshkosh, Freshman, Outside Hitter, Brookfield (East)
Carly Freiborg, Eau Claire, Junior, Setter, Sacred Heart, Minn. (Renville County West)
Kim Fruit, Whitewater, Senior, Outside Hitter, Viola (Richland Center)
Shelly Maus, Stevens Point, Sophomore, Middle Hitter, Green Bay (Southwest)
Jenny McDermid, Stout, Junior, Outside Hitter, Oconto Falls
Katie O'Hara, Superior, Senior, Middle Hitter, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Molly Ray, Superior, Senior, Outside Hitter, Two Harbors, Minn.
Samantha Schmidt, Oshkosh, Freshman, Libero, Waupun
Kate Thompson, River Falls, Junior, Outside Hitter, Forest Lake, Minn.

All-Defensive Team
Shanna Berger, Eau Claire, Junior, Libero, Baldwin (Baldwin-Woodville)
Miranda Hall, Platteville, Senior, Libero, Brooklyn (Evansville)
Jenny Randall, La Crosse, Senior, Libero, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Samantha Schmidt, Oshkosh, Freshman, Libero, Waupun

Player of the Year: Abbie Mueller of Whitewater
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Jenny Randall of La Crosse
Coach of the Year: Brian Schaefer of Oshkosh

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UW-La Crosse's Randall Named Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Jenny Randall has been named the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Randall, a senior from White Bear Lake, Minn., is majoring in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy and maintains a 3.83 grade point average. She is a three-time member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Academic Team, as well as a three-time selection to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Randall has also been recognized on UW-La Crosse's Dean's List six semesters.

Randall, a team captain, is a three-time selection to the WIAC All-Defensive Team and holds the school record with 2,287 career digs, while ranking second on the league chart. She was a member of the conference championship squad in 2003 and the Midwest Region championship teams in 2003 and 2004.

Randall is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and UW-La Crosse's Pre-Pharmacy Club. She has served as a volunteer at a hospital pharmacy, an assisted living center, the Boys and Girls Club, the National Women and Girls in Sports Day Clinic and the Junior Eagles Volleyball program.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Molly Menard, UW-La Crosse's Tanya Foldy, UW-Platteville's Carrie Morschauser, UW-Stout's Rachel Linbo, UW-Superior's Molly Ray and UW-Whitewater's Kim Fruit.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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Four Teams Reach NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament

RELEASED: Monday, November 7, 2005

Madison, Wis.--For the fifth time in conference history, four teams from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) have been selected to participate in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament. UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater will participate in regional competition, which will be held November 10-12 at Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh.

The conference also sent four schools to NCAA postseason action in 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1994.

UW-Eau Claire (28-4) received one of 18 at-large bids into the 60-team tournament and will be making its eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament (2005, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1989, 1988, 1987). The Blugolds will face Lakeland (23-15) at 3:30 on November 10.

UW-Oshkosh (35-4) also received an at-large bid into the tournament and is making the 10th appearance in school history (2005, 2001, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1990). The Titans will face Carthage (30-6) at 8:30 p.m. on November 10. UW-Oshkosh owns an all-time record of 16-11 in the NCAA tournament, including a second-place finish in 1994.

UW-Platteville (28-7) will make its first tournament appearance since 1997 and fourth in school history (2005, 1997, 1992, 1983). The Pioneers claimed the automatic bid from the WIAC after winning the postseason tournament. UW-Platteville received the top seed in the six-team regional and will face St. Norbert (30-6) at 6:00 p.m. on November 10.

UW-Whitewater (34-4) will be making its 14th straight appearance in the tournament and 18th overall (2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986). The Warhawks received an at-large bid into the tournament and will face Elmhurst (Ill.) at 1 p.m. on November 10. UW-Whitewater owns a 29-17 all-time mark in NCAA tournament competition and claimed the national title in 2002, while placing second in 2001 and 2000.

The eight regional winners will gather for the national quarterfinals, semifinals and finals November 17-19 at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia.

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UW-Platteville Captures Women's Volleyball Tournament Championship

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Platteville captured the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball tournament championship with a 32-30, 30-25, 33-31 victory over UW-Eau Claire at the Williams Center Volleyball Arena in Whitewater on November 5.

The tournament title for the Pioneers is the second in school history and gives them the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Pioneers also won the title in 1992.

UW-Platteville entered the league tournament as the fifth seed, marking the first time in conference history that a fifth-seeded the team has won the event. Prior to this year, the lowest seed to win the tournament was UW-Whitewater in 1995 as a three seed.

Rachel Chapman led UW-Platteville with 15 kills while Mallory Dzubay added 14 kills and three service aces. Kelly Laschinger added 38 assists and Miranda Hall recorded 17 digs.

Jenny Wolter led UW-Eau Claire with 16 kills while Carly Frieborg had 45 assists and Shanna Berger recorded 26 digs.

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UW-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater Share Women's Volleyball Title

RELEASED: October 19, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater claimed a share of the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball title with victories on October 19. UW-Oshkosh upended UW-La Crosse 30-22, 30-16, 30-26 at Mitchell Hall in La Crosse, while UW-Whitewater defeated UW-Platteville 30-16, 30-20, 29-31, 30-22 at the Williams Center in Whitewater.

The conference championship for UW-Whitewater is their second straight and eighth in the last 10 seasons. The Warhawks have claimed a league-high 12 titles (2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1993, 1989, 1988, 1980). UW-Oshkosh secured the seventh championship in school history (2005, 2001, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1982) and first since the 2001 campaign.

This marks the fourth time in the last five years that the league crown has been shared between two schools.

UW-Oshkosh, ranked seventh in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III poll, won its eighth consecutive match in the victory against the Eagles. The Titans led 19-17 in game one before going on a 9-1 scoring run to lead 28-18.

The second game was tied 6-6 before the Titans went on a 12-3 scoring run. UW-La Crosse led 17-15 in the third game before UW-Oshkosh rallied to take a 24-14 advantage. The Eagles cut their deficit to 27-26, but the Titans scored the final three points of the contest.

UW-Oshkosh had three players combine for 39 kills as sophomore Leah Rosenbaum totaled 14, freshman Katie Beining 13 and sophomore Kim Vail 12. The Titans also received 15 digs from Beining, 49 assists and 15 digs from senior Ashley Fischer, 32 digs from freshman Samantha Schmidt and 13 digs and nine kills from freshman Megan Galonski.

Sophomore Katelyn Carlson led UW-La Crosse with eight kills, while sophomores Jessica Freund and Aimee Zepnick added seven each. Senior Tanya Foldy had 27 assists for the Eagles, while sophomore Ashley Boylan contributed 15 digs.

Fifth-ranked UW-Whitewater ran its winning streak to 15 matches in the win over No. 24-ranked UW-Platteville. In game one, the Warhawks built a lead as large as 17 (27-10) and cruised to a 30-16 victory.

In game two, UW-Platteville led 9-8 when UW-Whitewater went on a 6-1 run to take the lead it never relinquished. The Pioneers cut it back to 18-16, but the Warhawks finished up 12-4 for the 30-20 win.

UW-Platteville built a 17-12 lead in game three, but UW-Whitewater came back to take the lead at 26-25, with the Pioneers taking a time out. With the score tied at 29-29, UW-Platteville freshman Rachel Chapman and sophomore Mallory Dzubay each recorded kills to give the Pioneers the 31-29 win.

Game four went back and forth, with UW-Whitewater finally managing a small margin at 19-16 and from that point did not trail for a 30-22 triumph.

Polk was credited with 13 blocks in the contest (3 solo, 10 assist), third best in UW-Whitewater history (The record is 15 by Lynn Olsen November 6, 1999). UW-Whitewater totaled 36 blocks (6 solo, 30 assist), which is fifth in the team record book. Polk also led both teams with 17 kills. Senior Alison Miller had 15 kills, sophomore Abby Schultz added 19 digs and senior Abbie Mueller dished out 49 assists.

Dzubay led the Pioneers with 16 kills and contributed three aces. Chapman added 14 kills. Sophomore Kelly Laschinger had 40 assists and 10 digs for the Pioneers. Senior Miranda Hall topped UW-Platteville with 19 digs and senior Carrie Morschauser chipped in with 17.

UW-Whitewater claimed the top seed for the league tournament due to their 30-28, 30-20, 30-25 conference dual meet victory over the Titans on October 5. The Warhawks will host the eighth-seeded team, while UW-Oshkosh secured the second seed and will host the seventh-seeded team.
Quarterfinal action for the conference tournament begins on November 1 at the sites of the higher seeded team.

Quarterfinal winners will advance to the league semifinals and finals, which will be hosted by the highest remaining seed on November 4-5.

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Two Teams Earn AVCA Team Academic Award

RELEASED: Friday, August 5, 2005

Colorado Springs, Colo.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Stout women's volleyball teams have been awarded the Game Plan/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2004-05 season.

The award, initiated during the 1992-93 academic year, honors colleges and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. UW-La Crosse and UW-Stout were two of 276 total schools to receive the honor that includes schools from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, II and III programs, as well as National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Collegiate Christian Athletic Association (NCCAA) schools and high school teams. Only 43 of more than 400-plus NCAA Division III schools were honored

Each school will receive a plaque, and each player a certificate commemorating the designation.

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UW-Stout's Pitt Receives AVCA Award

RELEASED: Monday, July 11, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout sports information director Layne Pitt has been named the recipient of the Grant Burger Media Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Pitt received the NCAA Division III Midwest Region award for women's volleyball from the organization, which honored a Division III sports information representative from each of the eight regions.

Pitt has served as UW-Stout's sports information director for the last 11 years. Prior to coming to UW-Stout, Pitt, a UW-Stout graduate, was a photographer for UW-Stout Photographic Services, was a photojournalist for Fox Valley Sports in Appleton and served as the editor, sports editor and photojournalist at The Dunn County News in Menomonie.

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Boudreau Named UW-Whitewater Women's Volleyball Head Coach

RELEASED: Thursday, May 26, 2005

Whitewater, Wis.--Stacy Boudreau has been named head women's volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Boudreau comes to UW-Whitewater from Iowa Wesleyan College, where she has been the head volleyball coach for three seasons. She directed IWC to a 17-15 record in her first season, won a Midwest Classic Conference championship and went 23-14 in 2003, and added another conference title in 2004. Her 2004 team went 30-8, won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Region VII tournament, and advanced to the NAIA national tourney where they finished tied for ninth in the final national standings. Boudreau was named 2004 Midwest Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year and NAIA Region VII Coach of the Year. Iowa Wesleyan went undefeated in conference play in 2003 and 2004.

"The department of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is excited to begin a new era in women's volleyball," UW-Whitewater director of athletics Dr. Paul Plinske said. "Stacy Boudreau takes over for long-time coach Kris Russell, and brings a strong understanding of the game, a passion for the student-athlete experience, and the ability to create a successful environment. Her coaching achievements exhibit her capacity to build and sustain a national caliber program, as well as provide student-athletes with a recipe for success. Not only will Stacy be a wonderful asset to our program, but she will also engage the community with her depth of character and likeable personality," added Plinske.

Iowa Wesleyan made won its first NAIA regional title under Boudreau, made its first national tournament appearance, and had the only first team All-American in school history. She has coached six NAIA National Scholar Athletes and 20 All-Academic Midwest Classic Conference athletes. Sixteen players earned all-conference honors in her three years, including the league's player of the year all three seasons.

Boudreau served as Iowa Wesleyan's assistant volleyball coach in 2001, immediately after graduating from the school, while teaching physical education in the Mount Pleasant, Iowa school system. While a student at IWC she received numerous honors in volleyball, including NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, NAIA Scholar All-American, and First Team Midwest Classic Conference. She is IWC's career record holder in kills and blocks.

Boudreau's competitive background, as a coach and as an athlete, isn't limited to volleyball. In 2001, she earned NAIA All-American honors indoors in the petathlon, and outdoors in the heptathlon. She was named Midwest Classic Conference Female Athlete of the Year for Track and Field in 2000 and 2001, and won five events in the league's outdoor championship her senior year. She still holds a number of school records. Boudreau's has remained active in multi-event competition, placing seventh in 2001, sixth in 2002, and fifth in 2003 in the heptathlon at the prestigious Drake Relays. After graduating from IWC in 2001 she assumed the head women's and men's track coaching position, which she continued through the 2004 season. She was the Midwest Classic Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2003.

She coached a NAIA track national champion, 12 NAIA qualifiers and 15 Midwest Classic Conference champions. Seventeen of her track and field athletes earned MCC All-Academic honors, and the 2003 Iowa Wesleyan women's team won the conference championship.

In addition to her coaching duties at Iowa Wesleyan, Boudreau also served as a health, exercise science and physical education instructor for the 2004-2005 school year.

Boudreau takes over for Kris Russell, who announced her retirement April 1. Russell coached 23 years at UW-Whitewater, directing the Warhawks to 17 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III tournament berths and 10 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships. The NCAA appearances included five "final fours", among them the 2002 NCAA Division III title. Russell retired with 812 wins and a .779 winning percentage.

Boudreau will begin her duties at UW-Whitewater immediately. Her husband, Chad, was recently hired as an assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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2005 WIAC Women's Volleyball Preview

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the defending league champion, is expected to claim the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball championship, according to the league's sports information directors.

UW-Whitewater has won seven conference titles in the last nine seasons and received seven first-place votes in the conference poll. The Warhawks have made 13 consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.

Stacy Boudreau will lead the Warhawk charge in 2005, replacing Kris Russell, who retired after 24 seasons. Russell amassed a 812-231 record at UW-Whitewater and ranked second among active NCAA Division III volleyball coaches with 812 victories, while placing third with a .779 winning percentage.

Boudreau spent the last three seasons at Iowa Wesleyan College and compiled a 70-37 mark with two Midwest Classic Conference titles and a ninth-place finish in last year's National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national tournament.

UW-La Crosse received one first-place vote and is pegged to place second in the conference race. The Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament last year for the second straight season and has had just 13 losses in the last two years, the lowest two-year total for the program since the 1978-79 teams had 12 losses. UW-La Crosse must replace Laura Wagner, who claimed conference player of the year honors and was an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America first team selection in 2004.

UW-River Falls secured the remaining first-place nod and is expected to place third in the conference pecking order. The Falcons have record 12 straight 20-plus win seasons, including six years of 30-plus victories.

UW-Eau Claire registered 20-plus wins for the sixth consecutive season during the 2005 campaign. Head coach Lisa Herb ranks fourth on the NCAA Division III wins list with 729 victories among active head coaches.

UW-Stout claimed their first-ever WIAC Tournament title a year ago and their second NCAA Tournament appearance in team history after also participating in 1998. The Blue Devils must replace AVCA All-Americans Brooke Viegut (first team) and Tanille Hartwig (second team), along with Erin Heger, who led the NCAA Division III with 15.09 assists per game in 2004.

UW-Platteville has had the last two NCAA Division III Midwest Region Freshmen of the Year, with Mallory Dzubay claiming the honor last fall and Dana Alf winning it in 2003.

Brian Schaefer begins his first full season as head coach at UW-Oshkosh after guiding the Titans to a 10-6 record at the end of the 2004 campaign. UW-Oshkosh has won 20-plus matches 11 times in the last 12 seasons, including a 32-5 mark and a share of the 2001 WIAC crown.

UW-Stevens Point's 21 victories a year ago were the most for the program since 1998 and a 10-win improvement from the 2003 campaign, while UW-Superior welcomes back Molly Ray, who claimed all-WIAC honorable mention status in 2003.

2005 Preseason Predictions (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)

1. Whitewater (7)
2. La Crosse (1)
3. River Falls (1)
4. Eau Claire
5. Stout
6. Platteville
7. Oshkosh
8 (tied). Stevens Point
8 (tied). Superior

( )--First-place votes

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