WHITEWATER, Wis. – Carroll University women's volleyball faced a challenging slate at the Whitewater Invitational this past weekend, competing in three matches over two days. The Pioneers dropped their Friday opener to Lawrence before splitting Saturday's contests, falling to host Wisconsin-Whitewater and rebounding with a decisive win over Hardin-Simmons.
Friday: Lawrence 3, Carroll 0 (25-18, 25-19, 27-25)
Carroll opened the invitational against Lawrence in a tightly contested match that featured long rallies and momentum swings. Despite strong defensive efforts, the Pioneers fell in straight sets. Carroll hit .138 for the match, with Kylie Wittnebel and Bronwyn Rowse leading the attack with 13 combined kills. Audrey Rosenbaum added seven kills and solid back-row play, while Payton Depies anchored the defense with 22 digs. The Pioneers posted eight team blocks, highlighted by contributions from McGough and Hicklin, but Lawrence's balanced offense proved too much down the stretch.
Saturday Morning: Wisconsin-Whitewater 3, Carroll 0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-20)
Facing nationally ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater, Carroll showed grit but couldn't overcome the Warhawks' size and efficiency at the net. The Pioneers hit .022 overall, improving to .148 in the third set as they pushed late before falling 25-20. Wittnebel and Rosenbaum combined for 11 kills, while McGough and Rowse contributed defensively with multiple block assists. Carroll finished with six team blocks, but Whitewater controlled the match with 11 blocks and a .245 hitting percentage.
Saturday Afternoon: Carroll 3, Hardin-Simmons 1 (15-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-19)
The Pioneers closed the weekend on a high note, rallying from a first-set loss to win three straight against Hardin-Simmons. Carroll's offense surged after a slow start, hitting .286 in set two and .421 in set three, finishing with a .248 attack percentage and 72 points. Kylie Wittnebel led the way with 15 kills on .407 hitting, while Brooklyn Johnson added nine kills at a .438 clip. Rowse and Hicklin chipped in with double-digit kills, and Depies delivered a standout defensive performance with 21 digs and three aces. Carroll dominated at the net with 10 team blocks, showcasing improved execution and energy.
Weekend Summary
Carroll finishes the invitational 1-2, moving to 11-11 overall (1-3 CCIW). The Pioneers demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from two tough losses to secure a convincing win. One of the main highlights of the weekend was Kylie Wittnebel making the All-Tournament team after she had a very strong showing throughout. With improved offensive rhythm and strong blocking, Carroll looks to carry momentum into its next CCIW matchup against Elmhurst on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Van Male Fieldhouse.
