Falcons Defeat Muskies

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW women's volleyball team defeated Lakeland in four sets on Friday 18-25, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-18 to improve to 5-6 overall and 2-0 in conference. 

Lakeland took the first set 25-18, as the Muskies went on a 5-0 run with the game tied at 12 a piece to take the 17-12 lead. The Muskies were able to hold on their lead and earn the first set victory.

The second set would see the Falcons bounce back to claim the second set 25-18. The early half of the set was a back-and-forth affair, as neither team was able to establish a sizable lead. A kill from sophomore Ashley Habermehl (Brookfield, Wis.) tied the game 14-14. CUW then went on a 5-1 run to take the 19-15 lead. In that run, senior Maycee Karpfinger (Wauwatosa, Wis.) recorded a kill and contributed a block. Later in the set, with the score favoring CUW 21-18, the Falcons would close out the match by scoring four straight with the match coming from the swing of sophomore Mickenzi Benter (De Pere, Wis.). 

Late in the third set, the Falcons found themselves down 20-14. The Blue and White then responded with a strong 11-2 run to steal the third set. In that run, Ashley Habermehl recorded three kills, while Maycee Karpfinger, Mickenzi Benter, and sophomore Noelle Smith (Davenport, Iowa) tallied a kill to help propel the Falcons past the Muskies and take the 2-1 lead.

With the score tied 8-8 in the fourth set, CUW went on a 10-5 run to take control of the set. Despite Lakeland's best efforts, the Falcons were able to hold their lead and take the fourth set 25-18, with the final CUW point coming from a service ace from sophomore Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.). 

Maycee Karpfinger recorded the double-double as she registered a game-high 16 kills and a team-high 14 digs for a total of 18 points. 

Ashley Habermehl also tallied double-digit kills with 13. 

Meanwhile, Mickenzi Benter totaled 39 assists along with 11 digs. Also with double-digit digs was Abby Proefrock, who tallied 13.

CUW will hit the road again and travel to Michigan to compete in the Calvin Invitational, with their first game scheduled for Friday, Sept. 22 where they will take on the Pioneers of UW-Platteville.