Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- The 2018 American Rivers Conference Volleyball tournament saw the No.2 seeded Spartans (24-8 overall, 6-2 A-R-C) take down top-seeded Wartburg (18-12 overall, 7-1 A-R-C) 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23). 

This year's Dubuque Spartans were looking to write their own chapter in UD history, and that they did, by winning the program's first Conference Championship since 1995. The title is UD's third overall ('82, '95, '18). Tonight's title also earns Dubuque the league's automatic qualifier to the 2018 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships. 

In a back and fourth match UD narrowly outhit the Knights through four sets, .177 to .172. The Spartans had 175 attacks with 57 kills while Wartburg finished with 169 attacks and 54 kills. 

It was A-R-C MVP Kara Wright leading the Spartans on offense with 20 kills. Rylee Andresen followed with 12 kills and Sarrah Farraday put down 10. Setting up the UD offense was A-R-C Freshman of the Year Kate Messino, who finished with 44 assists. Jenna Runde recorded a team-high 19 digs and added four service aces. 

With 17 kills Lizzy Blough paced the Knights offense. Jayme Willemssen recorded 12 kills followed by Kylie Bildstein with 10. Mallary Erbes recorded 46 assists and added 15 digs. Katie Foster tallied a team-best 21 digs. 

Regional play of the NCAA Division III Tournament takes place 11/08/2018 - 11/11/2018 at eight, to be determined, campus sites. The tournament finals will take place 11/15/2018 - 11/17/2018 at the A.J. Palumbo Center (Pittsburgh, PA), Hosted by Saint Vincent College and SportsPITTSBURGH.
 

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