Box Score (vs. Maranatha)
Box Score (vs. UW-Platteville)
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MADISON, Wis. - The Edgewood College volleyball team took a good first step toward a league title with a 3-1 victory over Maranatha Baptist in the Northern Athletics Conference opener. The Eagles hopes of upsetting a ranked opponent, however, were dashed by 17th-ranked UW-Platteville with a 3-0 sweep in the final game of the Edgewood College Triangular.

Edgewood College (4-6, 1-0 NAC) seemed to have control of the opening set against the Crusaders, leading 13-7 after a solo block by Katie Wedvick. However, Maranatha Baptist (5-2, 0-1 NAC) rallied back behind six first set kills from Torey DeLozier to claim a 25-23 win.

The Eagles evened the match with a 25-21 win in the second set, behind six kills from Jessica Martin and then seemed to gain momentum. Martin served five straight points in the third set that opened up a 16-7 lead. Wedvick had three kills during the run and the Eagles took a 2-1 lead with a 25-14 victory.

The Eagles grabbed a quick 5-0 lead in the fourth set, behind the serve of Rachel Thomsen. Edgewood College then rode the arms of Kristin Manske and Mallory Palmer who had five kills apiece in the set. The Crusaders rallied on game point to cut a 24-18 lead to 24-21, but Martin ended the match with her 13th kill of the night.

Palmer had 16 kills and 19 digs to lead the Eagles with a double-double, while Wedvick had 12 kills and just four errors for a team-high .296 hitting percentage. Martin's 13 kills came against just four errors. Setter Lindsey Swansby dished out 46 assists and had 17 digs, while Laura Sweeney delivered three service aces and 15 digs from the back row. Maranatha Baptist was led by DeLozier who had a match high 17 kills and 25 digs.

The Eagles played the first set against UW-Platteville like a team on a mission, but the Pioneers rallied off four straight points after the Eagles hit 24 to steal a 26-24 victory. UW-Platteville's Briana Kaiser put down the final three points with kills.

The second set was a nip-and-tuck affair right up to a 17-17 tie. At that point, the Pioneers' Ali Sikic served off five consecutive points to give the visitors a 22-17 lead, and eventually a 25-19 win in the second set. The close losses seemed to take the wind out of the Eagles' wings as UW-Platteville rolled up a 10-4 lead early in the third set and never looked back, earning a 25-13 win to finish the sweep.

Palmer had another double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs. Martin posted eight kills of her own. Defensively, Sweeney had a match-high 18 digs and accounted for all three of the Eagles' service aces.

In the middle match of the evening, UW-Platteville swept past Maranatha Baptist by scores of 25-19, 25-13, 25-21.

Edgewood College will continue with NAC play on Thursday night, when they host MSOE at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. The match will be broadcast live on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com beginning at 7:00 p.m.