WAUKESHA, Wis. - Young teams often struggle to maintain a razor-sharp focus when faced with critical tension-filled, game-changing situations.
The Carroll University women's volleyball team experienced that firsthand as it lost to Carthage College 25-17, 26-24, 25-13 in a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin home-court finale at Van Male Field House on Friday evening.
It was the fifth consecutive dual-meet loss for the Pioneers, who dropped to 1-6 in conference and 7-22 overall.
Following a brief presentation to honor the team's only senior (libero Rosie Jaskolski from Whitewater, Wis.), Carroll came out energized in the opening set - eventually seizing an early 12-11 lead on a strong, left-handed cross-court spike from the right side by junior outside hitter Dana Voltolina (St. Charles, Ill.).
It was short lived as Carthage showcased its experience by responding with a composed 14-5 run to claim the key, momentum-building victory.
Senior outside hitter Stephanie Korbakes contributed five consecutive service points to help propel the critical run for the Lady Red, who improved to 5-2 in conference and 18-11 overall.
Leading 24-19 in the pivotal second set, Carroll appeared to be well on its way to tying the match but the momentum suddenly shifted as the Lady Red responded with seven unanswered points to complete an inspired comeback.
It proved to be the turning point as Carthage dominated the final set.
Voltolina, sophomore outside hitter Amanda Hahn (Itasca, Ill.), sophomore middle blocker Karley Wolf (Roselle, Ill.) and freshman outside hitter Cassidy Mrotek (Manitowoc, Wis.) each had three kills in the second set for Carroll.
The Pioneers showed glimpses of their potential during the second game, recording 17 kills and commiting only six errors.
Voltolina finished with a team-high 10 kills and three blocks to lead Carroll. Wolf followed with seven kills and a block for the Pioneers, who suffered a serious setback as starting sophomore libero Rachel Harn (Freeport, Ill.) was injured in the second set and didn't return. Hahn had 15 digs, freshman middle blocker Erika Dunnam (Shawano, Wis.) collected four kills and two blocks with freshman setter Emma Przeslicke (Evergreen Park, Ill.) adding 14 assists.
"It was a good learning experience," said Carroll head coach Becca Saal, whose roster includes 17 underclassmen this season. "We went through some adversity with one of our players going down and did our best to adjust to the situation. There wasn't a lot of time to explain what was happening so everyone was thrown into the fire, moved around and forced to make the most of it. 
"Being a young team, it's something that we need to continue to work on. As we gain experience and mature as a group, it will become easier to handle that type of pressure. It wasn't the outcome we wanted, but it will only help in our progression."
Korbakes had a meet-high 12 kills and senior outside hitter Anna Kinell collected nine kills for Carthage. Sophomore setter Abigail McGowan added 25 assists for the Lady Red.