LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team secured a 3-1 victory over UW-La Crosse at Mitchell Hall tonight.
The Eagles opened the match with a 25-21 win but the Blugolds came back to win the next three for the match victory.
After dropping the opening set, the Blugolds dominated the second and won 25-12. They jumped out to a 13-6 lead and then went back and forth before using an 8-0 run to get up 24-11. While La Crosse got the next point, the Blugolds won the set 25-12.
The teams played even in the third set and neither team could build much momentum. The score was tied multiple times throughout the set and it was 25-25 when the Blugolds were able to score two straight to win 27-25.
In the fourth set, the teams again played close and found their way to a 12-12 tie. But, the Eagles stalled and couldn't score the rest of the set. The Blugolds scored 13 points in a row to win 25-12.
Two Blugolds reached double figures in kills with Tessa Snell (Fr.-Edgerton, Wis.) leading the way with 17 while Anne Satterlee (Sr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) recorded 15.
Lauren Sutherland (Jr.-Dayton, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) finished with a match-high 21 digs, and Emily Neave (Sr.-Salem, Wis.) had 39 set assists to lead both teams.
With the win, the Blugolds improve to 21-11 overall and 5-2 in the conference, tied for second place. Should they win Saturday at UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater loses to UW-Stout, the Blugolds will secure the No. 2 spot in the WIAC Tournament, which starts next week. Otherwise, the Blugolds will be the No. 3 seed. La Crosse drops to 13-17 on the season and 2-5 in conference play.
The Blugolds will face the Pioneers at noon tomorrow in the final match of the regular season.
-KM-
