Volleyball Opening Weekend at St. Mary's Sugarloaf Classic
Aug 30, 2014
WINONA, Minn. - The University of Dubuque opened the second day of the Sugarloaf Classic with a hard fought 1-3 loss to Gustavus Adolphus College. The Spartans jumped out quickly and captured the opening set 25-20, before Gustavus rallied back to capture the next three by scores of 25-16, 25-23, and 25-15. In set three the lead swapped six times and match was tied another eight times. In the final match of the tournament, the Spartans faced UW-La Crosse and lost another close battle 0-3 by set scores of 18-25, 19-25, and 23-25 with 10 lead changes and a tie score 21 times.
UD returns five starters and 12 letter winners from last season's 12-21 team which finished in a tie for fifth place in the Conference with a 2-5 mark. The Spartans will be led by junior outside hitter Klaudia Basierak, a two-time all-conference pick and the 2012 IIAC Freshman of the Year. She posted a team-high 366 kills and 28 service aces and ranked second on the team in digs (285) and fourth in blocks (35) in 2013. Basierak also ranked second among IIAC players – both in league play and overall – in kills, averaging 3.45 per set overall and 3.65 per set overall. Defensively senior middle hitter Amy Tranel led Dubuque with 70 blocks (10 solo) and ranked second in kills with 192 and service aces with 26. Tranel, who received all-IIAC honorable mention last season, ranked fourth in the league in blocks (0.89 per set in IIAC play) and seventh in attack percentage (.255).
Sophomore setter Hannah Zieser becomes the full-time facilitator of the offense this season after ranking second on the team with 369 assists in 2013. She also posted 54 kills, 10 service aces, 63 digs and ranked fourth on the team with 37 blocks (four solo).
Today in the tournament UD improved their hitting percentage and were led in kills by Basierak who finished with 22, trailed closely by Karrah Davis who finished with 17 kills on Saturday. Zeiser finished with 53 set assists, Olivia Larson collected 27 defensive digs along with teammate Kristin Wright who had 25 digs. Alyssa Cose had two service aces for the Spartans.
The Spartans host Edgewood College and UW- Oshkosh on Tuesday, Sept. 2 with matches at 3:30, 5:30, and 7:30 p.m.
