FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOMERS, Wis. (Oct. 21, 2016)-- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside volleyball team took five sets to finally close out University of Illinois Springfield 3-2 (25-13, 19-25, 27-25, 21-25, 17-15) in Great Lakes Valley Conference match in DeSimone Gymnasium.
 
The Rangers (10-13, 6-4 GLVC) dominated the first set, highlighted by six straight serves from Annie Leo including one ace while three different Rangers had kills during Leo's run. Lauren Hickson closed out the set with kill, giving UW-Parkside the 25-13 win.
 
Returning the favor in the second set, the Prairie Stars (7-15, 0-10 GLVC) took an early lead 5-2 to start things off. Leah Fenske then put down two straight kills to help the Rangers tie things up at 5-5. Illinois Springfield came back with four straight points of their own, and never looked back winning 25-19. Parkside scored five of the last seven points of the second set, and momentum seemed to be on their side. Kasey Davis started things off in the third set with two early kills, and helping the Rangers start the set with the lead. The Prairie Stars tied the set at 8-8, and the set would be tied 10 more times before it was over. It took Wisconsin-Parkside three set points before Rebecca Roembke finally stopped the madness with a kill from the back row, securing the hard fought set 27-25.
 
In the fourth set, Springfield took the lead early and held it throughout the set winning 25-21, but Parkside again made a late run to take some much needed confidence into the fifth and final set. Both teams traded points to start the fifth set until the Rangers went on a 6-2 run giving them an 11-6 lead. Roembke had 2 kills and a service ace during the run. The Prairie Stars came soaring back with 6-0 run, leading 14-13, and match point. Illinois Springfield was unable to convert on two match points, and the Rangers made them pay with three straight points, winning the final set 17-15.
 
Lauren Hickson collected 50 assists and 13 digs in the Ranger victory. Rebecca Roembke also had a double-double with 27 digs and 15 kills. Lexi Turek led the way offensively with 16 kills, and Leah Fenske added 13 kills for the Rangers. Libero, Annie Leo had 27 digs in the match.

The Rangers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22^nd at 3pm hosting a GLVC tilt against McKendree University.