Merrill’s Bri Piepenbrok helped make UW Stevens Point women’s volleyball history during her freshman season with the Pointers. UWSP ended its deepest ever NCAA tournament run Friday with a semifinal loss to California Lutheran University.
The Pointers entered the tournament ranked #19 in Division III and knocked off #6 St. Benedict, #4 St. Thomas and #2 Hope College to reach the semifinals. UWSP was on a 24-match winning streak prior to the semifinal loss. The 3-1 win over defending national champs St. Thomas clinched a regional title for the Pointers and advanced them to the Elite 8. Piepenbrok recorded 13 digs against St. Thomas.
UWSP defeated Hope College with a 3-0 sweep to reach the semi-finals. Piepenbrok contributed 12 digs.
Against California Lutheran, the Pointers battled back from an early deficit in the first set before losing 26-24. They were within 20-18 late in the second set before the Regals went on a run. Piepenbrok had 15 digs in the match.
California Lutheran finished runner-up in Division III with a five-set loss to Calvin College Saturday.
At Merrill High School, Piepenbrok led the Jays with 718 total digs her senior year and was named to the second team all-conference and first team all-region. The Bluejays were conference champions her junior and senior years.
During her freshman year at UWSP, Piepenbrok – a defensive specialist/liberio – finished the 2013 season with 328 digs and 25 service aces.
Piepenbrok is an athletic training major at UWSP. She is the daughter of Joleta Wesbrock and Fritz Piepenbrok.