Titans Capture Share Of WIAC Title

A 17-1 advantage in service aces helped the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team sweep UW-La Crosse on Wednesday (Oct. 20) in Kolf Sports Center and capture the WIAC championship for the third straight season and 11th time overall.

UW-Oshkosh (22-5) won the match over UW-La Crosse (9-12/3-5 WIAC) in set scores of 25-11, 25-12, 25-21. The victory allowed the Titans to finish WIAC play with a 7-1 record and earn a share of the league title with UW-Eau Claire (16-7). The two teams also tied for the WIAC championship in 2006 and 2008.

UW-Oshkosh got to work against UW-La Crosse right away as it sprinted out to leads of 13-2 and 20-7 in the first set. The Titans finished off the opening period with four consecutive points.

UW-Oshkosh bolted to a 17-4 lead in the second set. The Eagles cut their deficit to 22-12 before the Titans ended the set with three straight points. UW-Oshkosh counted six service aces in the period.

UW-La Crosse stayed with UW-Oshkosh in the third set. The Titans held a 14-13 lead before scoring seven of the next nine points to build a 21-15 advantage. UW-La Crosse pulled to within 22-21, but UW-Oshkosh served three straight points to end the match.

UW-Oshkosh was led by Aleisha Bagin (So. • West Bend), who hit .409 with 10 kills and four service aces. The Titans also received seven kills each from Andrea Felton (So. • New Berlin), Brittany Gruning (So., • Mukwonago) and Andrea Smith (Sr. • Fond du Lac). Smith added nine digs and Smith five service aces.

Others contributing to UW-Oshkosh's victory were Christina Cahoon (Sr. • Watertown), Morgan Liebetrau and Alison Tomczyk (Fr. • Oshkosh). Cahoon totaled 10 digs and two service aces, while Liebetrau compiled 19 assists and four service aces and Tomczyk 11 assists.

Alexandra Bresser led UW-La Crosse with five kills. Liz Schlobohm ran the Eagles' offense with 15 assists, while Melannie Tate recorded a match-high 14 digs. Meghan Ashwill tallied eight digs and Amanda Hardy seven.

Besides its noticeable serving advantage, UW-Oshkosh also owned leads of 38-19 in kills, 34-19 in assists and 11-5 in blocks. The Eagles compiled a 49-37 margin in the dig department.

UW-Oshkosh competes at the Elmhurst College Invitational on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 22-23) in Elmhurst, Ill.