OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Coming into today's match, the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team needed a win to finish second in the conference, and it did just that by beating UW-Oshkosh 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-22) at Kolf Sports Center.
The Blugolds finished in second place for the second straight year, securing the No. 2 seed in the WIAC Championship and earning a first round bye. They will open the tournament Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. against a team to be determined at UW-Stevens Point.
Today in the opening set, the Blugolds trailed 2-1 but used a 9-0 run to take a 10-2 lead and never looked back. Oshkosh got back to within four late in the set but the Blugolds hung on for the five-point win.
In the second set, the Blugolds used a couple runs to get out to an 8-4 lead but the Titans were able to get within one point, 12-11. From there, Eau Claire had a 6-1 run to take an 18-12 lead and the closest the Titans could get the rest of the way was two points (22-20) before Eau Claire closed on a 3-0 run.
Eau Claire was down for the first half of the third set but got back into it although Oshkosh led late, 22-21. But the Blugolds were able to hold the Titans scoreless from there to win the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.
Kelly Schuh (Sr.-Appleton, Wis./Hortonville) once again led the Blugolds in kills with a match-high 15 while Lauren Sutherland (Sr.-Dayton, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) had 21 digs to lead the team. Maggie Holcombe (Fr.-Shakopee, Minn.) finished with a match-high 35 set assists.
The Blugolds are now 16-14 on the season and finish with a 6-2 conference record. Oshkosh is 19-10 and 4-4 in the WIAC.
While conference play is over for the season, the Blugolds will be at the Illinois Wesleyan University Tournament next weekend for four more matches, two Friday and two Saturday.
-KM-
