Delgadillo, Uttech Receive All-WIAC Accolades

UW-Oshkosh left-side hitters Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) and Cassie Uttech (So, • Watertown) have been named to the 12-member All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team.

Delgadillo and Uttech, both first-time honorees, were joined on the All-WIAC first team by Kristin Dettman, Katie Monhart and Angie Wildish of UW-Whitewater, Krystle Brune, Melissa Tvrdik and Karen ZumMallen of UW-River Falls, Brooke Viegut and Tanille Zenner of UW-Stout, Elissa Hansen of UW-La Crosse and Brooke Wozniak of UW-Eau Claire.

Wildish was named the league's Player of the Year after helping the Warhawks to a share of the WIAC title.

Delgadillo started all 36 matches for the Titans this past season, leading the team in kills with 531 and digs with 554. She also contributed 168 assists, 68 service aces and 16 solo blocks. Delgadillo was named to all-tournament teams at Elmhurst College Invitationals held August 30-31 and September 12-13, the UW-Oshkosh Pizza Hut Classic on October 11-12 and the UW-Oshkosh Invitational on October 18-19. Delgadillo led the WIAC this past season in kills per game at 4.12 while ranking fifth in both service aces at 0.53 and digs at 4.29 per game.

Against UW-Eau Claire on October 4, Delgadillo slammed home 28 kills, the sixth highest total in UW-Oshkosh history. Her 2002 season included 20 or more kills in a contest eight times and three triple-doubles.

In three seasons at UW-Oshkosh, with the Titans posting an 82-30 record, Delgadillo has accumulated 1,062 digs, 728 kills, 193 service aces and 80 blocks in 344 games played.

Uttech also started all 36 matches for UW-Oshkosh this past year, leading the Titans with 72 service aces. She also compiled 490 digs, 441 kills and 29 solo blocks. Uttech, who recorded 20 kills in a match four times this past season, was named to the all-tournament team at the Trinity University River Classic on September 6-7. Uttech ranked third in the WIAC this past year by averaging 0.56 service aces per game.

In two seasons at UW-Oshkosh, with the Titans posting a 52-21 record, Uttech has totaled 681 digs, 607 kills, 109 service aces and 103 blocks in 207 games played.

Among the 11 players receiving All-WIAC honorable mention was UW-Oshkosh's Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee). Petersen started all 36 matches for the Titans this past season, leading UW-Oshkosh in hitting percentage with .271 and solo blocks with 75. She also tallied 308 kills and 49 service aces.

UW-River Falls head coach Patti Ford was named the WIAC's Coach of the Year, while UW-Whitewater's Dettman was named the WIAC's Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete.

UW-Oshkosh compiled a 20-16 record this past season, including a fifth-place mark of 4-4 in the WIAC. The Titans competed this past year with a 13-player roster that featured eight freshmen and no seniors.

WIAC Tournament Loss Ends Season For Titans

The UW-Eau Claire women's volleyball team dropped its first game to UW-Oshkosh, but then won three straight contests in response to defeat the Titans, 3-1, in a quarterfinal round match of the WIAC Tournament held Tuesday (Nov. 5) in Eau Claire.

UW-Eau Claire (24-9) won the match in game scores of 26-30, 30-26, 30-22 and 30-28 to advance to a semifinal round meeting with regular season co-champion UW-River Falls (30-7) on Friday (Nov. 8) in River Falls.

UW-Oshkosh (20-16), losing for only the fourth time in its last 15 contests, hit just .175 against UW-Eau Claire after committing 32 errors in 143 attacks.

Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) led UW-Oshkosh with 16 kills, 11 digs and two service aces, while Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) added 15 kills and 16 digs.

The Titans also had contributions of 10 kills and two solo blocks from Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee), nine kills, one solo block and four assisted blocks from Tina Hegemann (Fr. • Rochester) and 45 assists and 10 digs from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva).

Brooke Wozniak was one of three UW-Eau Claire players with double digit kills, totaling a team-high 17. The Blugolds also received 15 kills from Molly Menard and 13 from Becca Carstensen. Carstensen also had seven blocks and three service aces, both team bests.

UW-Eau Claire also featured three different players in double digit digs as Julie Bobbe had 13, Lindsay Anderson 11 and Shanna Berger 10. Andrea Hemple had 46 assists for UW-Eau Claire.

Titans Continue Late-Season Surge

Behind excellent serving and passing, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team went unbeaten in a quadrangular held Friday and Saturday (Oct. 25-26) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (20-15) opened the event by defeating Augsburg College (2-19) on Friday in game scores of 30-18, 30-22 and 30-24. On Saturday, the Titans defeated the University of Chicago (6-19) and Lake Forest College (17-11) in game scores of 30-15, 30-23 and 30-23 and 30-18, 30-22 and 30-24, respectively.

UW-Oshkosh, now a season-best five games over .500, totaled 45 service aces in the three matches while averaging 19 digs and 14 kills per contest. The Titans registered just 13 service and nine receiving errors in three matches.

Against Augsburg College, UW-Oshkosh was led by Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) and Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee). Delgadillo had 12 kills and 12 digs in the match, both team bests, while Petersen slammed home 11 kills and recorded one solo and six assisted blocks. Tina Hegemann (Fr. • Rochester) recorded a career-high five service aces as the Titans totaled 13 in the victory.

Delgadillo again led the Titans in their win over the University of Chicago as she compiled 11 kills, 18 digs and seven service aces. Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) recorded a team-best 14 kills in the contest, while Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) dished out 40 assists and hit the floor for 12 digs. Mary Jo Chart (So. • Burlington) also had a season-high nine digs.

In the victory over Lake Forest College, Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin) had a team-best 11 kills while totaling 11 digs and one service ace. The Titans also received 10 kills, 10 digs and seven service aces from Delgadillo and 37 assists and 13 digs from Regester. UW-Oshkosh had 16 service aces and 60 digs in the match.

Delgadillo led UW-Oshkosh in the quadrangular with 33 kills, 40 digs and 15 service aces, while Petersen contributed 27 kills, 12 blocks and six service aces. Regester also pitched in with 113 assists.

UW-Oshkosh returns to action on November 5 by opening WIAC Tournament play at UW-Eau Claire. Earlier this season, the Blugolds defeated the Titans by a 3-2 count.

Titans Finish Fifth In WIAC Race

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team worked its way to a fifth-place finish in the WIAC standings following its 3-1 victory over UW-Platteville on Wednesday (Oct. 23) in Platteville. The Titans took the match in game scores of 30-12, 21-30, 30-28 and 30-22 to avenge a 3-1 non-conference loss to the Pioneers earlier this year.

Winning four of its last five conference matches, UW-Oshkosh (17-15) concluded league play with a 4-4 record. The Titans shared fifth-place with UW-La Crosse in the league standings, gained the fifth seed for the upcoming WIAC Tournament based on their 3-0 win over the Eagles on October 9. UW-Oshkosh opens WIAC post-season action at fourth-seed UW-Eau Claire (18-8) on November 5. UW-River Falls (24-4/7-1 WIAC) is the top seed for the league tournament..

UW-Oshkosh hit .232 against UW-Platteville (9-18/0-8 WIAC), with Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) totaling18 kills, Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) 14 and Kim Gawrisch (Fr. New Berlin) and Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) 13 each. The Titans also received 20 digs from Delgadillo, 11 digs and five service aces from Uttech, three service aces and three solo blocks from Petersen and 54 assists and 13 digs from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva).

Titans Go 3-1 To Win Own Invite

Highlighted by a 3-2 victory over nationally-ranked Lakeland College, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team won three of four matches to claim the title of its own invitational held Friday and Saturday (Oct. 18-19) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (16-15) and Lakeland College (24-4) both went 3-1 in the Titan Invitational, but the Titans defeated the Muskies in game scores of 18-30, 31-29, 30-20, 14-30 and 15-6 to take the tournament crown. Lakeland College entered the six-team event as the 25th-ranked team in the NCAA Division III.

The Titans opened tournament action on Friday by defeating Illinois College (14-10) in game scores of 30-24, 30-18 and 30-26 and Dominican University (14-18) in game tallies of 30-28, 30-12 and 30-24.

Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) knocked down 16 kills and totaled 12 digs to lead the Titans in their win over Illinois College, while Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) added 13 kills and Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) 11 kills and 17 digs. UW-Oshkosh hit .303 in its match against Dominican University as Petersen slammed down a team-best 14 kills, while Delgadillo and Uttech had 10 each. The Titans also received seven kills and 14 digs from Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin), 15 digs from Delgadillo and four solo blocks from Petersen.

UW-Oshkosh split its two matches on Saturday, defeating Lakeland College and dropping a 30-23, 30-17, 19-30 and 30-18 contest to Bethel College (17-7).

UW-Oshkosh moved to a perfect 11-0 against Lakeland College as Delgadillo recorded 21 kills and Gawrisch and Uttech 11 each. Uttech also had 19 digs in the contest, while Delgadillo contributed 15 digs and Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) 49 assists and eight digs. The Titans hit just .105 in their loss to Bethel College as they were hampered by 39 hitting errors in 143 attacks. Delgadillo had 22 kills and 19 digs to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Uttech added 12 kills and 16 digs and Regester 50 assists and 15 digs.

Named to the six-member all-tournament team from UW-Oshkosh were Delgadillo and Gawrisch. In four matches, Delgadillo totaled 69 kills and 61 digs, while Gawrisch had 29 kills and 36 digs.

Titans Take Third In Own Invite

After winning its first-two matches, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team settled for a 2-2 record and a third-place finish in its own invitational held Friday and Saturday (Oct. 11-12) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (13-14) opened play in the Pizza Hut Classic by defeating Lawrence University and Coe College by 3-0 scores before suffering setbacks of 3-2 to UW-Platteville and 3-0 to UW-La Crosse. UW-Oshkosh's loss to UW-La Crosse, the 23rd-ranked team in the NCAA Division III, came just three days after the Titans swept the Eagles in a conference match held in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh began its own tournament by sweeping Lawrence University (5-16) in games of 30-16, 30-24 and 30-16. The Titans hit a season-best .462 as they improved their record against the Vikings since 1988 to 9-1. Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) had 15 kills, 10 digs and a .538 hitting percentage to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) recorded 11 kills and 16 digs.

Coe College (6-19) became UW-Oshkosh's fourth consecutive shutout victim as the Titans swept the Kohawks in games of 30-18, 30-20 and 30-27. UW-Oshkosh had 10 service aces and a .241 hitting percentage in its first meeting with the Iowa school. Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) hit .524 for the Titans, recording 13 kills in 21 attacks, while Delgadillo recorded 14 kills and 15 digs.

UW-Oshkosh struggled in its next two contests, dropping decisions of 22-30, 30-26, 30-26, 24-30 and 15-7 to UW-Platteville and 30-22, 30-15 and 30-22 to UW-La Crosse.

Despite recording 13 service aces and 11 blocks against UW-Platteville (9-13), UW-Oshkosh hit just .204 with 34 hitting, 10 receiving and 10 ball handling errors. Uttech led the Titans with 22 kills, while Delgadillo compiled a team-best 27 digs. UW-Oshkosh hit just .116 in its loss to UW-La Crosse (16-4), including only .068 in game one and .056 in game two. Delgadillo hit .348 with 10 kills and 18 digs to pace the Titans.

Delgadillo was the lone UW-Oshkosh player named to the eight-member all-tournament team. During her four matches she totaled 54 kills, 70 digs while hitting .246.

UW-La Crosse went undefeated in four matches to win the tournament, while UW-Platteville finished second with a 2-2 record.

Titans Shock Nationally-Ranked Eagles

Playing one of its best matches of the season, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team stunned nationally-ranked UW-La Crosse, 3-0, on Wednesday (Oct. 9) in Kolf Sports Center.

The visiting Eagles (14-4/3-2 WIAC) flew into the Titans' home venue as the 23rd-ranked team in the NCAA Division III and departed as the second squad currently ranked in the top 25 to stumble to UW-Oshkosh this season. In all, UW-Oshkosh has played 10 matches against teams currently ranked in the top 25, including 14th-ranked University of La Verne (Calif.) which dropped a 3-2 decision to the Titans on September 14.

UW-Oshkosh (11-12/3-4 WIAC) took its match against UW-La Crosse by winning games of 34-32, 30-26 and 30-25. After squandering leads of 29-26 and 30-29 in game one, UW-Oshkosh rallied for the victory by overcoming deficits of 31-30 and 32-31. In game two, UW-Oshkosh took an 18-17 lead and held the advantage the rest of the way. The third game saw UW-Oshkosh take a 12-11 lead and hold the upper hand the remainder of the contest.

Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) had 14 kills, a .571 hitting percentage and two solo blocks to lead the Titans, while Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) added 16 kills and 17 digs.

Titans Exterminate Yellowjackets

Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) and Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin) combined for 30 kills and a .604 hitting percentage as the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team smothered UW-Superior, 3-0, on Saturday (Oct. 5) in Superior.

UW-Oshkosh (10-12/2-4 WIAC) cruised to its 11th straight win over UW-Superior (6-11/1-3 WIAC) by taking games of 30-19, 30-22 and 30-25. Dating back to 1988, the Titans have defeated the Yellowjackets 19 times in 20 meetings.

UW-Oshkosh hit .424 for the match, including .484 (18 kills and 3 errors in 31 attacks) in game one. Delgadillo had 18 kills and 15 digs to lead the Titans' cause, while Gawrisch added 12 kills. The Titans also received 47 assists and two service aces from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva), nine kills and 16 digs from Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown), seven kills from Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) and five kills and four block assists from Tina Hegemann (Fr. • Rochester).

UW-Superior hit only .200 for the match and was hampered by 16 hitting errors, 12 service errors, seven blocking errors and six ball handling errors.

Titans Edged By Blugolds In Error-Filled Contest

In an error-filled match that went back-and-forth from the beginning, the UW-Eau Claire women's volleyball team prevailed with a 3-2 win over UW-Oshkosh on Friday (Oct. 4) in Eau Claire. The WIAC contest featured 31 service errors, 16 receiving errors, eight ball handling errors and seven blocking errors.

UW-Eau Claire (14-6/2-1 WIAC) captured the match in game scores of 28-30, 30-27, 30-15, 27-30 and 15-11. The Blugolds hit .321 for the match, including .520 in game three and .400 in games four and five. In the fifth and deciding game, UW-Eau Claire had eight kills and no errors in 20 attacks.

UW-Oshkosh (9-12/1-4 WIAC), which is 1-1 in five-game matches this season, hit .201 against UW-Eau Claire. The Titans hit a match-best .533 (19 kills and 3 errors in 30 attacks) in winning game four, but hit below .256 in games one, two, three and five.

Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) had 28 kills, 10 digs and a .386 hitting percentage to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) added 19 kills and 11 digs and Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) 56 assists.

Titans Collar Pointers

After consecutive setbacks to three WIAC teams that are still nationally ranked in the NCAA Division III, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team snapped its mild league losing streak with a 3-0 victory over UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Oct. 2) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (9-11/1-3 WIAC) defeated UW-Stevens Point (4-16/1-2 WIAC) for the 17th time in 18 meetings by winning games of 30-22, 30-25 and 30-26. Prior to the win, UW-Oshkosh dropped contests to fifth-ranked UW-River Falls, sixth-ranked UW-Whitewater and 22nd-ranked UW-Stout.

UW-Oshkosh led UW-Stevens Point nearly the entire way. In game one, the Titans jumped out to a 7-1 advantage and never trailed. In game two, UW-Stevens Point took a 3-1 lead before UW-Oshkosh scored six straight points to take the gain. Tied at 20, UW-Oshkosh scored 10 of the next 15 points tor record the win. The third game was much like the second as UW-Stevens Point grabbed an early lead before being overtaken by UW-Oshkosh. Tied at 20, UW-Oshkosh notched the win by scoring 10 of the next 16 points.

Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) helped UW-Oshkosh to the win by recording a .600 hitting percentage (10-15) and six blocks. Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) added 20 kills and 16 digs.

Titans Capture Third Place At UW-Whitewater Invite

Receiving numerous contributions, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team seized third place at the UW-Whitewater Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 27-28) in Whitewater.

The Titans posted a 2-2 record in the event, with both of their setbacks to teams that were nationally ranked. UW-Oshkosh defeated Benedictine University (Ill.), 23-30, 30-22, 30-20 and 30-25, and Simpson College (Iowa), 22-30, 30-21, 30-21 and 30-25. and lost to Elmhurst College (Ill.), 30-22, 30-28, 27-30 and 30-27, and the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), 30-21, 30-23 and 30-22.

UW-Oshkosh (8-11) opened Friday's play by splitting matches with Benedictine University and Elmhurst College, the second-ranked team in the NCAA Division III. Against Benedictine University, Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) led the Titans with 21 kills and 18 digs, while Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) added 15 kills and 18 digs. UW-Oshkosh also received a career-high 22 digs from Amber Shevy (Fr. • Mishicot) and 10 kills and 13 digs from Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin). Later that evening against Elmhurst College, Delgadillo and Uttech again paced UW-Oshkosh. Delgadillo amassed 20 kills and 24 digs, while Uttech had 14 kills and 11 digs. Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) helped the Titans' efforts with 45 assists and 13 digs.

In Saturday's opening round match against Simpson College, Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) spirited the Titans by recording 20 kills and a .667 hitting percentage. Delgadillo added 14 kills and 23 digs, while Uttech contributed 12 kills and 18 digs and Regester 56 assists. UW-Oshkosh closed tournament action with its match against the College of Mount St. Joseph, the fifth-ranked team in the NCAA Division III. Delgadillo led the Titans with 16 kills and 10 digs, while Regester piled up 34 assists and 13 digs.

For the tournament, Delgadillo totaled 71 kills and 75 digs, while Uttech compiled 51 kills, 55 digs and 10 service aces and Regester 188 assists.

Nationally-Ranked Warhawks Glide Past Titans

Playing an opponent ranked among the best in the NCAA Division III has been a common theme for the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team this season. Wednesday (Sept. 25) in Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh battled its seventh nationally-ranked competitor in 15 matches and came away with a 3-0 loss to UW-Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater (12-2/2-1 WIAC), which defeated UW-Oshkosh in game scores of 30-16, 30-16 and 30-19, entered its contest with the Titans ranked 12th in the NCAA Division III. Previously, UW-Oshkosh (6-9/0-3 WIAC) defeated 13th-ranked University of La Verne (Calif.) while suffering setbacks to second-ranked Elmhurst College (Ill.), sixth-ranked Trinity University (Texas), ninth-ranked UW-River Falls, 11th-ranked Emory University (Ga.) and 15th-ranked UW-Stout.

In a match between last year's WIAC co-champions, UW-Whitewater dominated UW-Oshkosh despite hitting just .161. The Warhawks held advantages of 41-20 in kills, 62-52 in digs and 10-1 in service aces while holding the Titans to a negative hitting percentage of .036.

UW-Oshkosh had only two players with a positive hitting percentage, Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) at .158 (5 kills in 19 attempts) and Mary Jo Chart (So. • Burlington) at .125 (2 kills in 8 attempts). Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) compiled a team-high seven kills and seven digs in the match, while Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) added 17 assists and 10 digs.

Nationally-Ranked Blue Devils Slay Titans

UW-Stout became the fifth nationally-ranked women's volleyball team to defeat UW-Oshkosh this season, including the second in less than 24 hours, when it defeated UW-Oshkosh, 3-0, on Saturday (Sept. 21) afternoon in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Stout, ranked 15th in the NCAA Division III, swept UW-Oshkosh by winning games of 30-27, 30-20 and 36-34. Last night (Sept. 20) in Kolf Sports Center, UW-Oshkosh dropped a 3-1 decision to UW-River Falls, the 21st-ranked team in the NCAA Division III. The competition doesn't get any easier for the Titans as next on the schedule is a September 25th match at UW-Whitewater, the sixth-ranked team in the NCAA Division III.

UW-Oshkosh (6-8/0-2 WIAC) led for most of game one against UW-Stout (14-2/1-1 WIAC), taking a 5-4 lead and holding the advantage until the Blue Devils tied at contest at 25. Following a tie at 27, UW-Stout ended the game by scoring the last three points.

In game two, UW-Stout took a 14-13 lead and held the advantage the remainder of the way. The third and final game saw UW-Oshkosh build a 13-8 lead before UW-Stout rallied to tie the contest at 24. The Blue Devils also trailed 29-28, 30-29, 32-31, 33-32 and 34-33 before counting three straight points to end the game and the match.

UW-Oshkosh outhit UW-Stout, .205-.150, in the match, but was hampered in its upset bid by 13 service errors and seven receiving errors. Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) led the Titans, compiling 17 kills, 14 digs and five service aces. UW-Oshkosh also received 14 kills and 20 digs from Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) and 44 assists from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva). UW-Stout was led by Brooke Viegut's 14 kills and 12 digs and Erin Hegar's 16 digs.

Nationally-Ranked Falcons Soar Past Titans

UW-River Falls rallied from a six-point deficit in game three and pulled away late in game four to defeat UW-Oshkosh, 3-1, in a women's volleyball match held Friday (Sept. 20) in Kolf Sports Center. UW-River Falls won the WIAC opener for both teams in game scores of 30-26, 33-35, 30-27 and 30-20.

The first three games between the two teams were close from start to finish, with the biggest lead being six points by UW-Oshkosh and five by UW-River Falls, both coming in game three. The Falcons (10-3/1-0 WIAC) scored the last four points to win game one and rallied from a 19-13 deficit to take game three. In game two, the Titans (6-7/0-1 WIAC) won a skirmish that was tied 25 times by scoring the last two points for the victory.

In the fourth game, UW-Oshkosh jumped to a 5-0 lead before UW-River Falls tied the contest at eight. Following four more ties, with the last being at 13, UW-River Falls won the game and the match by outscoring UW-Oshkosh down the stretch, 17-7.

UW-River Falls, ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III, won the match despite hitting just .219. The Falcons, however, benefited from 17 hitting errors, nine blocking errors, eight service errors and seven receiving errors by UW-Oshkosh. The Titans hit .240 for the match, including .413 in game two.

Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) totaled 24 kills and 24 digs to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) had 21 kills and 18 digs. The Titans also received 58 assists and 18 digs from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva). Karen ZumMallen compiled 13 kills and 24 digs to pace UW-River Falls, while Krystle Brune added 18 digs and Melissa Tvrdik 16 kills and 10 digs.

Titans Upset Top-Ranked Leopards In Elmhurst Invite

An upset win over top-ranked and defending NCAA Division III champion University of La Verne (Calif.) in its final match gave the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team a third-place finish at the Elmhurst College Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 13-14) in Elmhurst, Ill.

UW-Oshkosh (6-6) went 3-1 in the tournament, with its only setback being a 30-25, 30-27 and 30-22 decision to Elmhurst College, the 17th-ranked team in the NCAA Division III. The Titans' victories were decisions of 32-30, 30-22 and 30-28 over Carthage College, 30-25, 30-24, 32-34 and 30-28 over Simpson College (Iowa) and 31-29, 20-30, 30-28, 14-30 and 15-7 over the University of La Verne.

Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) was the lone UW-Oshkosh player named to the six-player all-tournament team after compiling 49 kills and 73 digs. Her totals included 16 kills and 20 digs in the Titans' win over the University of La Verne.

UW-Oshkosh began tournament action on Friday with a three-game loss to Elmhurst College. Defensively, UW-Oshkosh was strong with five players recording double-digit digs. Delgadillo led the Titans with 18 digs, while Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin), Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) and Amber Shevy (Fr. • Mishicot) added 11 each. Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) also contributed 10 digs and a team-high eight kills. Later that evening, the Titans swept Carthage College behind Uttech's 13 kills and 18 digs. The Titans also received nine kills and 11 digs from Delgadillo and a career-high 10 blocks from Tina Hegemann (Fr. • Rochester).

On Saturday, UW-Oshkosh went extra play to defeat Simpson College and the University of La Verne. Against Simpson College, the totaled 87 digs and 18 blocks. Delgadillo continued her torrid play by leading the Titans with 17 kills and 24 digs. Regester also added 55 assists and 15 digs, Uttech 11 kills and 15 digs and Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) seven kills and seven blocks. In its victory over the University of La Verne, UW-Oshkosh hit .545 iin the fifth and deciding game. In addition to Delgadillo's performance, the Titans also received 20 kills, 15 digs and a career-high eight blocks from Uttech and 11 blocks and seven kills from Petersen. In all, UW-Oshkosh swatted 26 University of La Verne attacks.

Titans Take Third In Texas

Behind the strong play of Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) and Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown), the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team split its four matches at the Trinity University River City Classic held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 6-7) in San Antonio, Texas.

UW-Oshkosh placed third in the overall five-team standings after defeating Texas Lutheran University and North Central College (Ill.) and losing to Emory University (Ga.) and eventual champion Trinity University (Texas).

UW-Oshkosh (3-5) split its two contests on Friday, losing 30-16, 30-14 and 30-18 to Emory University before defeating Texas Lutheran University, 30-28, 30-19, 26-30 and 30-22.

Against Emory University, the seventh-ranked team in the NCAA Division III, Uttech led the Titans with seven kills and eight digs. The Titans also received six blocks from Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) and 15 assists from Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva).

UW-Oshkosh responded to its opening loss by defeating Texas Lutheran University in Friday's nightcap. Delgadillo had a career-high 23 digs and 18 kills to lead the Titans' winning cause, while Regester totaled 37 assists and Uttech 13 kills, 18 digs and four service aces.

Saturday's action for UW-Oshkosh began with a tight 30-23, 32-30 and 30-23 loss to Trinity University, the fifth-ranked team in the NCAA Division III. The Titans led 28-26 in game two, but were unable to put the Tigers away. Uttech paced the Titans with 14 kills and nine digs, while Delgadillo had 10 kills and 16 digs, Kim Gawrisch (Fr. • New Berlin) 10 kills and nine digs and Amber Shevy (Fr. • Mishicot) 10 digs.

UW-Oshkosh concluded its action in Texas by outlasting North Central College in game scores of 30-27, 3-20, 28-30 and 30-22. Delgadillo recorded a career-best 21 kills and 10 digs, while Uttech added 18 kills and 14 digs and Petersen 10 kills and a .529 hitting percentage.

Uttech was the lone UW-Oshkosh player named to the all-tournament team after totaling 52 kills, 49 digs, 12 service aces and a .315 hitting percentage. Delgadillo also amassed 54 kills, 54 digs and eight service aces.

Elmhurst College Invitational Unkind To Titans

A young UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team struggled putting games away and finished with a 1-3 record at the Elmhurst College Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Aug. 30-31) in Elmhurst, Ill.

Starting three freshmen, two sophomores and one junior, UW-Oshkosh defeated Otterbein College (Ohio) in scores of 30-24, 31-29, 22-30 and 30-27 to open the 2002 season. The Titans then followed their victory with losses of 30-10, 30-27 and 30-28 to St. Mary's University (Minn.), 22-30, 30-28, 30-17 and 32-30 to Loras College (Iowa) and 31-29, 23-30, 30-27 and 31-29 to Illinois Wesleyan University.

In the season opener against Otterbein College, Amanda Delgadillo (Jr. • West Allis) registered 15 kills, 13 digs and 55 assists to lead the Titans, while Cassie Uttech (So. • Watertown) compiled 19 kills and 12 digs. The kill counts for both Delgadillo and Uttech were career bests.

Against St. Mary's University in Friday's nightcap, Uttech led the Titans in kills with 11 while adding 14 digs and three service aces. Delgadillo also recorded 28 assists and 10 digs, while Amber Petersen (So. • Milwaukee) added four solo blocks.

Saturday's action for UW-Oshkosh began with its loss to Loras College. Uttech paced the Titans with 14 kills, 16 digs and five service aces, while Petersen added a career-high eight service aces and Jackie Regester (Jr. • Lake Geneva) 25 assists and 18 digs.

In the final match of the tournament against Illinois Wesleyan University, UW-Oshkosh had a 28-24 lead in game four, but couldn't hang on. Regester had a career-high 29 digs in the contest, while Uttech added 14 kills and 17 digs and Delgadillo 10 kills, 38 assists and 12 digs.

Named to the 12-member all-tournament team from UW-Oshkosh was Delgadillo.

2002 Preview

After registering a 62-14 record and a pair of "Sweet Sixteen" appearances in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship the past two seasons, defending WIAC co-champion UW-Oshkosh looks to a new cast of actors to keep the Titans among the nation's elite in 2002.

In order to accomplish its lofty goal, UW-Oshkosh must somehow find a way to replace the likes of left-side hitter Jessie Goffard, middle blocker Kristi Kujak and setter Christina Southward. All three players were All-WIAC and NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region first team selections a year ago, with Southward also receiving WIAC Co-Player of the Year and NCAA Division III All-America first team accolades.

One performer that 20^th-year UW-Oshkosh head coach Marty Petersen (569-338 record) is counting on to lead five returning letter winners and an energetic group of newcomers is sophomore middle blocker Amber Petersen. Last season, Petersen was named NCAA Division III Midwest Region Freshman Player of the Year after hitting .349 with 226 kills and 136 blocks in 122 games.

Joining Petersen as a returning starter from last year's team that posted a 32-5 record is sophomore outside hitters Mary Jo Chart and Cassie Uttech. Chart compiled 150 kills, 143 digs and 45 blocks in 112 games during the 2001 campaign, while Uttech overcame an early-season ankle injury to record 166 kills, 37 service aces and 191 digs in 78 games.

Other letter winners back from last year's squad are defensive specialist Amanda Delgadillo and setter Jackie Regester, both juniors. Delgadillo played in 120 of the Titans' 123 games last season, contributing 84 service aces and 276 digs, while Regester totaled 41 service aces and 260 digs in 119 games. Regester is expected to replace Southward as the Titans' starting setter after playing as a defensive specialist the previous two seasons. Two years ago, Regester recorded 295 digs, 53 assists and 29 service aces in 134 games, while Delgadillo counted 96 kills, 232 digs and 41 service aces in 95 games.

Last fall, UW-Oshkosh hit .328 as a team to lead the NCAA Division III. The Titans also ranked second in the country in kills per game at 16.62 and assists per contests at 15.34. In 2000, UW-Oshkosh led the nation in kills and assists, averaging 16.74 and 15.78, respectively.

"You can never adequately replace players like Goffard, Kujak and Southward," said Petersen. "Goffard and Kujak were hard to stop on offense and Southward was one of the best players in NCAA Division III history. For us to be competitive at a high level again this season, our five returning letter winners must have big years and our newcomers must contribute significantly."

Among the freshmen candidates ready to make their bid to impact the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball program this season are middle blocker Tina Hegemann and outside hitters Kim Gawrisch, Megan Holfeltz, Sarah Schott and Amber Shevy. Gawrisch and Hegemann didn't play last season, but were redshirts for the Titans two years ago.

Without a senior and only two juniors on the 13-player roster, UW-Oshkosh's youthful corps will once again attempt to find success while playing a highly competitive schedule. The Titans' 2001 agenda includes matches with 2001 NCAA Division III Championship participants Benedictine University (Ill.), College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), Elmhurst College (Ill.), Emory University (Ga.), University of La Verne (Calif.) and UW-Whitewater. Last season, UW-Oshkosh shared the WIAC crown with UW-Whitewater.

UW-Oshkosh's home schedule includes three tournaments, with eight visitors invading Kolf Sports Center on Oct. 11-12, five on Oct. 18-19 and three on Oct. 25-26.