OSHKOSH — UW-Whitewater’s women’s volleyball team made the most of an NCAA Division III at-large berth by winning its opening match Thursday in the Oshkosh Regional.
The Warhawks defeated Calvin College (Mich.), 3-1, winning by scores of 25-18, 22-25, 25-18 and 25-14.
Whitewater (30-9) plays Carthage College (31-4) in a semifinal match at 4:30 p.m. today.
Melissa Zuleger led the Warhawks with 15 kills and a .462 hitting percentage, while Liz Benzschawel and Keri Klotzbuecher added 10 kills each. Jillian Neave set up the Warhawk offense with 55 assists, with Alyssa Bauer and Janesville Craig High School graduate Sofia Sanchez contributing 17 and 16 digs, respectively.
Whitewater is making its 17th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and 21st overall. The Warhawks won the 2002 and 2005 titles and finished second last season.
The regional at UW-Oshkosh concludes with the title match at 7 p.m. Saturday. The champion advances to the final eight at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill., Nov. 20-22.
WHITEWATER 3, CALVIN 1
Calvin College 18 25 18 14
UW-Whitewater 25 22 25 25
Calvin (aces-kills-digs-assists)—Erin VanderPlas, 0-5-0-0; Rachel DeYoung, 0-6-2-1; Katie Corbett, 0-0-6-1; Kelly Peterson, 0-0-12-2; Rebecca Kamp, 0-21-3-0; Lauren DeGrott, 2-2-11-33; Kim Wigboldy, 0-1-1-0; Jessica Garlick, 0-0-0-0; Kelsey Sears, 1-0-17-1; Nora Bruskewitz, 0-1-2-0; Sara Kramer, 0-6-0-0; Stacie Lippert, 0-0-4-0. Totals: 3-42-58-38.
Whitewater (aces-kills-digs-assists)—Keri Klotzbuecher, 2-10-11-0; Caitlin Hogan, 2-9-2-1; Jullian Neave, 0-3-7-55; Melissa Zuleger, 0-15-0-0; Liz Benzschawel, 2-10-2-0; Kelly Sorensen, 0-4-2-0; Alyse Karls, 0-0-9-0; Sofia Sanchez, 1-5-16-0; Alyssa Bauer, 0-1-17-1. Totals: 7-57-66-57.
NCAA Division III
volleyball
OSHKOSH REGIONAL
At Kolf Sports Center
Results Thursday
Quarterfinals
UW-Whitewater def. Calvin College, 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14)
Carthage def. St. Norbert, 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 25-21, 17-25, 15-6)
Heidelberg, Ohio def. Hope, Mich., 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 27-29, 25-19, 15-7)
UW-Oshkosh def. Lakeland, 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-19)
Matches Today
Semifinals
UW-Whitewater (30-9) vs. Carthage (31-4), 4:30 p.m.
Heidelberg (31-7) vs. UW-Oshkosh (38-2), 7 p.m.
Match Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.
ST. THOMAS REGIONAL
At St. Paul, Minn.
Results Thursday
St. Benedict, Minn. def. Simpson Iowa, 3-1 (24-26, 25-10, 25-16, 25-15)
UW-Eau Claire def. Gustavus Adolphus, Minn., 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21)
Concordia-Moorhead, Minn. def. Loras, Iowa, 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11)
UW-La Crosse def. St. Thomas, Minn., 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13)
Matches Today
Semifinals
St. Benedictine (27-6) vs. UW-Eau Claire (24-11), 4:30 p.m.
Concorida-Moorhead (21-5) vs. UW-La Crosse (28-11), 7 p.m.
Match Saturday
Championship, 7 p.m.