The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Women’s volleyball team had home court advantage Sept. 24 when they played against rival University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks.

Competition got off to a slow start with the Pioneers losing the first two sets of the game. The first set ending 25-8 and the second 25-19.

The third set is when the women hit their stride with freshman outside hitter, Allison Jensen, obtaining a majority of her total three blocks and 14 kills. The set concluded 22-15.

The excitement quickly fell as the fourth set began with a Warhawks come back. The end of the fourth set resulted in another Whitewater victory, the score 25-19.

According to head coach, Deb Schulman, their season so far has had its ups and downs with a very strong and competitive schedule.

“I know the team is only going to get better with time down the road, whether this year or next year, and it’s definitely going to help our team by playing such strong teams,” Schulman said. “You get better by playing better competition.”

Andrea Larsen, senior libero for the team, takes a similar approach and says that she is extremely confident with this year’s team and that it is hands down the best group of women that she has ever played with.

This confidence in each other is displayed throughout each match, as the whole team cheers on their teammates no matter the score.

Junior middle hitter, Lauren Grady, recorded 11 kills and sophomore middle hitter, Lidia Frias, registered 10.

Leann Mizgalski, senior outside and middle hitter for the team, says that she believes that this year’s team has a bright future.

“So far it has been rocky but we have so much potential and I know that we are going to get there because its just a matter of that we all want it, we just need to execute it,” Mizglaski said. “ We need to keep that confidence in knowing that we’re good players and we have the potential to do big things we just need to go out there and do it.”

Looking ahead into the rest of the season, Schulman sees the team continuing to climb the ladder.

“However, our struggle right now is our inconsistency,” Shulman said.

Schulman said that the team needs to figure out how quickly they can figure out their defense and being more consistent.

“I am really excited to see us progress from the little falter here tonight, but I am looking forward to the future,” Larsen said.

The Pioneers take on the Augustana College Vikings at home at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.