WAVERLY, Iowa - The Wartburg volleyball team spared no dramatics in a five-set victory over the University of Dubuque Tuesday evening at Levick Arena during a rematch of last year's American Rivers Conference Tournament Championship. 

The Knights improved to 12-6 overall and 2-0 in the conference with the 3-2 win, while the Spartans, who were picked to finish first in the Preseason Coaches' Poll drop to 1-2 during A-R-C action. 

After the visitors took the first set, Wartburg bounced back with set two and three wins to take a 2-1 advantage. In the fourth set, the Knights came out strong and gained a 15-6 advantage, capped off by kills from Lexi Groe and Paige Deppe. However, the Spartans answered and trimmed the Orange and Black lead to 23-21. Dubuque closed out the set with five-straight points to prevail 26-24. 

Set No. 5 saw several runs back-and-forth and despite Wartburg committing eight errors, the home team found a way to sneak past Dubuque 15-13 to take the victory in the conference home-opening match. 

Wartburg owned a 63-47 kill and 55-38 assist advantage over Dubuque. 

Zaiah Quirk and Natalie Clayberg led the attack with 14 kills each, followed by Kylie Bildstein with 11. Sydney Rottinghaus tied a season-high with 24 assists, while Claire Marsh added 23. NCAA digs leader Katie Foster totaled 23. 

Up Next
Wartburg has its final road tournament of the year on tap this weekend, heading to Rock Island, Ill. for a pair of matches Sept. 27-28. The Knights are slated to face Augustana and Saint Mary's.