Transylvania University tops University of Dubuque, 3-2

Transylvania defeated then-No. 21 University of Dubuque 3-2 (14-25, 20-25, 25-22, 33-31, 15-13) on September 26, 2026 at the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Ky., handing the Spartans their third loss of the season.

Dubuque held the edge in kills (68-61), aces (10-8), blocks (10-8), and digs (86-75), but Transylvania's ability to seize momentum in the final three sets proved decisive. The Pioneers swung from a .100 attack percentage in set two to .306 in set three — their best efficiency of the match — to force the match the other way. A marathon fourth set, decided 33-31, ultimately swung Transylvania's way after the teams traded the lead through 30 points. Dubuque hit .218 overall to Transylvania's .187, but the gap wasn't enough to close out the match on the road.

Delainey Winkel led all players with 21 kills and added 17 digs for Dubuque, while Caitlin Jensen contributed 13 kills on a match-best .545 attack percentage. Alexis Kammerer orchestrated the offense with 54 assists. For Transylvania, Addie Atcher paced the Pioneers with 23 kills, and Megan Helander anchored the back row with 23 digs.

Down 13-8 in the fifth set, Transylvania closed with a 7-0 run capped by four consecutive kills from Atcher to take the match.

The loss drops Dubuque to 12-3 on the season.

Box score: https://udspartans.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2026/transylvania-university/boxscore/3799