SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-Superior volleyball team won the first set against UW-Stout on Tuesday, but dropped the final three as the Blue Devils took a 3-1 decision in non-conference action at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.
 
Junior Alexie Pryd (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove Senior), sophomore Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) and freshman Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) each registered nine kills and Pryd added a career-high-tying 24 digs in the 25-21, 21-25, 15-25, 19-25 loss. UWS posted a .241 hitting percentage in the opening set with 14 kills but the Blue Devils turned the tide in the final three sets to claim their fifth consecutive victory in the all-time series. 
 
Stout's Jessica Barr led all players with 13 kills and Lexie Nelson directed the offense with 34 assists as the Blue Devils improved to 14-11 with the win.  Freshman Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) scooped a match-best 28 digs to pace the Yellowjackets' defensive effort.
 
The 'Jackets jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first set a kill from Pryd followed by back-to-back kills by Stark. The lead grew to 13-7 on another Pryd kill and then to 16-10 on a Plautz swing and Stout error. Trailing 20-16, the Blue Devils fought back to tie things at 20-20 prior to a 5-1 Superior run to win the set.
 
Stout, which hit .125 in the match, seized momentum to claim the next three sets. 
 
The Blue Devils led in kills (49-39), service aces (7-2), assists (45-37) and digs (100-92). The teams were tied with 12 blocks apiece.
 
UWS (10-16) returns to Upper Midwest Athlteic Conference play on Friday hosting Crown. First serve is set for 7 p.m.