WAUKESHA, Wis. - The evening belonged to Dana Voltolina.
Voltolina, a 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter from St. Charles, Ill. finished with a career-high 22 kills and four blocks to lead an inspirational effort as the Carroll University women's volleyball team lost to No. 8-ranked Millikin University 25-27, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15, 15-13 in a nail-biting, five-set College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin season finale at Van Male Field House on Tuesday night.
With the energized Senior Night dual-meet performance, Carroll narrowly missed pulling a dramatic upset as it ended the season 1-7 in the conference standings and 11-21 overall.
It was the ninth consecutive victory for high-powered conference champion Millikin, which completed the regular season with an 8-0 conference record and 27-6 overall.
Following back-to-back kills by Voltolina as Carroll claimed a 13-11 lead in the momentum-shifting decisive fifth set, the Big Blue responded to the pressure-packed situation with a 4-0 run to complete a hard-fought come-from-behind victory (propelled by three consecutive kills and eventual match-clinching point as the result of a ball handling error).
It was an emotional, inspired effort for Voltolina, who capped her highlight reel night by eclipsing the 1,000-kill career plateau, finishing with 1,002 kills to become only the seventh player in program history to accomplish the rare feat.
For Voltolina, the lone senior on the roster this season, it was special finishing her standout, four-year career by performing at the top of her game.
"It was probably the best match I have ever played," said a smiling Voltolina, who was congratulated by her teammates after reaching the prestigious mark early in the fifth set, on an aggresive, hard-hit left-handed spike to trim the deficit to 6-3. "The only thing that could have made this night better would've been a victory. After winning the first two sets, I honestly thought that we were going to win the third. When that didn't happen and they came back to win the next two sets, it was exciting to see everyone step up to the challenge and fight hard for every point the rest of the way. Both teams just wanted the victory and played hard until the very end. Looking back on it, I will always remember it as my favorite match.
"To be able to finish my volleyball career with a night like this meant the world to me. It's an experience I will truly never forget."
Sophomore middle blocker Erika Dunnam  (Shawano, Wis.) contributed nine kills with sophomore outside hitter Sydney Wilkins (Portage, Ind.) collecting seven kills and nine digs for the Pioneers, who competed in their 11th five-set match of the year. Sophomore outside hitter Kylie Mueller (Fox Lake, Ill.) had six kills and seven digs.
Freshman middle blocker Melanie Barrios (Bolingbrook, Ill.) contributed four service aces and five blocks for Carroll, which generated 52 kills, seven aces, 10 blocks, 52 assists and 79 digs in the finale. Junior libero Amanda Hahn (Itasca, Ill.) had 35 digs and eight assists.
Freshman middle blocker Sydney Cowan (Bothell, Wash.) had three blocks and sophomore setter Jennilyn Joy Cave chipped in 18 assists for the Pioneers. Sophomore setter Emma Przeslicke (Evergreen Park, Ill.) added 25 assists.
Carroll head coach Becca Saal was ecstatic about the way her young, scrappy team rose to the occasion against one of the top teams in the country.
"I don't think I have ever been happier after a loss," said a smiling Saal, of her team's tenacious effort (highlighted by a .343 hitting percentage with 14 kills in capturing the first set). "It was Senior Night and our senior did exceptionally well to set the tone and finish her career on a high note. After doing well in the first two sets, we struggled in the next two but then came back and made good, aggressive decisions in fifth set. It was a battle to the finish and the type of performance that showcased the progress we have made throughout the season and will only make us better.
"Even though it was our last match, we came out and played with a lot of heart every step of the way tonight. Millikin was the best team we've played and we responded by playing our best match. I was extremely proud of the effort."
Senior rightside hitter Alora Goodey contributed a team-high 18 kills, junior outside hitter Emily Seegmiller had 16 kills and senior outside hitter Erin Syversen added 15 kills for Millikin, which will host the CCIW Tournament on Nov. 3.