EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team kicked off its conference schedule with a 3-0 victory over UW-Stout in the McPhee Physical Education Center tonight.
The match started close with the teams going back and forth until a 5-5 tie in the first set. From there, Eau Claire went on a 14-4 run to build a 19-9 advantage and closed the set with a 25-16 victory.
In the second set, the teams again went back and forth and found themselves tied at 21. But after an Eau Claire timeout, the Blugolds recorded four straight points to win 25-21.
In the final set, it was again close early but Eau Claire eventually found itself ahead 10-9. The Blugolds then scored 10 straight points to build a 20-9 lead and despite the Blue Devils outscoring Eau Claire 8-5 the rest of the way, the Blugolds were able to win the match with a 25-17 victory in the third set.
Anne Satterlee (Sr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) finished with a match-high 13 kills as she hit .500 while Amy Bomgren (Sr.-Woodbury, Minn.) added 11 kills.
Lauren Sutherland (Jr.-Dayton, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) and Satterlee each had nine digs to lead the match and Emily Neave (Sr.-Salem, Wis./Westosha Central) recorded a match-best 34 set assists.
As a team, Eau Claire finished with 45 kills to 31 for the Blue Devils and outhit Stout .365-.172.
Eau Claire has now won 16 straight matches over the Blue Devils, which includes nine straight 3-0 victories. The Blugolds improve to 67-29 all-time against Stout.
The Blugolds are now 9-5 on the season and 1-0 in the conference. Stout drops to 6-8 overall and 0-1 in WIAC play.
Friday and Saturday the Blugolds will be home again. Friday they will host UW-Stevens Point at 7 p.m. for Senior Night and will face UW-Whitewater in a match beginning at noon Saturday, which will also be Alumni Day.
-KM-
