The UW-River Falls Falcons advanced to the WIAC semifinals with a three set victory over the UW-Stout Blue Devils.

The Falcons  hosted the rival Blue Devils for the third time in 35 days. The season series was tied at one apiece prior to tonight's matchup at Karges Center. The stakes were high as the winner advanced to the WIAC semifinals this upcoming weekend in Stevens Point. The Falcons came out firing on all cylinders led by a total team effort from the first set through the third set.

1st Set

The Falcons jumped out to an early 5-3 lead over the Blue Devils. Both teams battled back and forth as the Blue Devils were breathing down the Falcons necks down 19-18 before Head Coach Patti Ford of the Falcons took a time out to calm down her team. After the time out UWRF came out how they started the game and sealed the victory with a 25-20 win. Members of the front line highlighted the first set as Brianna Muetzel added on to her team high 257 kills, Lisa Kepper's had some very timely blocks in the middle, and the right-side duo of Rebecca Gasper and Tayler Fertig did it on both sides of the ball with clutch blocks and kills for the Falcons..

2nd Set

Just like the first wt the Falcons continued their strong play. After Stout took an early 5-3 lead early in the match, UWRF went on to outscore the UWS 22-11 in their biggest win of the night. The Falcons would win the game 25-16 lead by big blocks, digs, and kills from Keppers, Raven Klein, and Fertig. 

3rd Set

The third and what turned out to be the final set of the night was not for the faint hearted as both teams played in a tug of war type battle. The Falcons jumped out to an early 10-8 lead over the Blue Devils.  UWRF possessed all the momentum moving forward, until a couple of double hits midway through the game allowed the Blue Devils to take the momentum as they battled back from a 20-17 deficit to tie the game up at 22-22. Briana Muetzel took control of the game with a couple timely kills to go along with aKepper's match deciding block to hold off the surging Blue Devils 26-24.

Key Stats

* The Falcons had 41 kills to the Blue Devil's 34

* The Falcons won the team block battle 4.0 to the Blue Devils 3.0

* The Falcons outscored the Blue Devils by 16 points through the three games combined

* Klein had a team high 33 assists, matching the entire total of the Blue Devils

* Muetzel led the Falcons in kills (10) and digs (12)

The Falcons will head to the WIAC Women's Volleyball Championship Semifinal round for the first time since 2006 as noted by Head Coach Patti Ford. The Falcons are scheduled to play at UW-Stevens Point (27-4) (7-1) this Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score