WHITEWATER, Wis. – The No. 12 UW-Stevens Point volleyball team (22-5) earned a straight-set victory over Carthage College (14-10) in the opening match of the Dig Panici Classic in Whitewater on Friday evening.

Senior Kelly Cefalu (Waunakee, WI/Waunakee) and junior Ellen Drewry (Waunakee, WI/Waunakee) each recorded 10 kills to lead the Pointers' attack.  In the process, Cefalu extended her double-digit kills streak to 12-straight matches and Drewry hit a team-high .412 in the win.

Seniors Marie Krengel (Eagan, MN/Eastview) and Bri Piepenbrok (Merrill, WI/Merrill), along with junior Kendra Kundinger (Auburndale, WI/Auburndale) all racked up double-digit digs led by Piepenbrok's 18.  Junior Delaney McCreay and sophomore Brittany Laffin (Carpentersville, IL/Hampshire) each had 16 assists for UWSP.

Cefalu had a trio of kills and sophomore Shannah Carter (Prior Lake, MN/Prior Lake) pitched in a service ace as the Pointers built a 11-5 advantage in the first set.  Then with the set knotted at 23, kills by Gabby Thomas (Henderson, MN/LeSueur-Henderson) and Bella Nelson (Luck, WI/Luck) gave UWSP the first set win.

Laffin capped a 7-0 run to open the second set with a service ace.  Later in the set, Drewry powered home a pair of kills to give the Pointes a 15-8 lead.  Cefalu added three late kills as the Pointers cruised to a victory in set two.

Thomas had back-to-back kills midway through the third set as UWSP jumped in front 14-6.  But after a kill by Cefalu gave the Pointers a 21-14 lead, Carthage stormed back with a 7-0 run to tie the set at 21.  Thomas and Nelson provided late set kills and the Pointers held on for 26-24 set to win the match.

UWSP continues play at the Dig Panici Classic with matches against Elmhurst and Loras on Saturday.  The Pointers return to Berg Gym for the regular season home finale on Tuesday against Concordia (Wis.) at 7:00 p.m. for Senior Night.