UW-RF takes 2nd at Ripon volleyball tourney

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The UW-River Falls volleyball team finished 3-1 at the Ripon Tourney over the weekend.

The Falcons won twice Friday and split the two matches played Saturday to finish second. The Falcons’ only loss was to St. Norbert College, which went on to win the tourney title with a perfect 4-0 record.

In their first match of the tournament Friday against host Ripon, the Falcons beat the Red Hawks three games to one — 24-26, 26-24, 25-10, 25-22.

Outside hitters Kelsey Scheele and Amy Weber led the team in kills with 13 each. Alicia Cook had 37 assists, which was more than seven times as many as any of her teammates.

Scheele also led in digs with 20 while defensive specialist Mandy McKenzie had 13, and Weber had 12. The leading blocker was Gina DeRosa with five.

In their second match Friday against the Pioneers of Carroll College, the Falcons were able to win in three games — 25-16, 25-23, 25-15.

Scheele had 16 kills to lead the team again. Cook had the most assists with 21 while McKenzie and Weber had 12 digs each.

On Saturday the Falcons lost in three games to St. Norbert — 25-8, 25-13, 25-14 — but were able to take Dubuque by a 3-0 score — 25-21, 25-23, 25-22.

Scheele led the Falcons in kills with seven against St. Norbert while also leading the team in digs with 14. DeRosa had three block assists and Becky Ponick had 10 assists.

St. Norbert swept the Falcons in three sets, 25-8, 25-13, and 25-14.

Scheele led the team in kills again with 12 while DeRosa was right behind her with 10. Ponick and Cook had an even assisting record with 18 and 19, respectively.

Scheele also had 11 digs to lead the team again while DeRosa was huge at the net, finishing with two solo blocks and four block assists. Andria Vetsch also had four block assists.

Scheele was the lone Falcon named to the six-player all-tournament team. She was also named to the all-tourney team a week earlier at the UW-RF Invitational.

The Falcons, now 6-6 on the season, will open WIAC play this weekend Friday at UW-Whitewater (7-4) and Saturday at UW-Oshkosh (12-0).

Tags: sports, falcons, ri er, falls, volleyball