Nationals 2009 in Kansas City
NATIONALS (Apr. 9th-11th)- Whitewater had a great tournament this year. The first time in years that UWW has finished in the top 16 in the nation. After a tough pool day one UWW defeated both Notre Dame and Rutgers University in two straight sets. Due to a reffing mistake, the hawks beat Fresno State the first match 25-0 due to a forfeit! Then Fresno came back and defeated the hawks in 3. Taking second in pool play put the Hawks in a challenge round the next morning.
Day 2 the Hawks started off facing UW-Milwaukee for a spot in a 3-team power pool. UWW beat UW-M in three exciting sets. This pooled UWW with two #1 seeds: Michigan State and Utah Valley. With the Hawks needing only to clinch one match, they put everything they had into Michigan State. Whitewater came out on top over the Spartans in three high energy sets. After putting it all into that last match, the hawks came out flat against Utah Valley who defeated the hawks in 2. All UWW could do was hope that Utah Valley beat Michigan State. Which they did! Finishing second in the power pool brought the hawks into GOLD!!
Day 3 began facing Arizona University. In a close first match the Hawks fell to Arizona. In a close game 2, New Comer of the Year: Danny Wittke came down on the opposing team's foot and was out for the game. With freshman, Rob Kuhnke, on the outside, the hawks battled but eventually fell to the Wildcats, tying for 9th place in the nation.
Quick Results:
UW-Whitewater is the #26 seed in Division I.
Lost to #2 Fresno State 1-2.
Defeated #23 Notre Dame 2-0.
Defeated Rutgers University 2-0.
Defeated UW-Milwaukee 2-0
Defeated #15 Michigan State University 2-1.
Lost to #7 Utah Valley State 0-2.
Lost to #12 University of Arizona 0-2.