EAU CLAIRE, WI (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team opened the 2015 season with a 3-1 loss to Saint Mary's in a packed Zorn Arena.
"We passed really well and played good defense," said head coach Kim Wudi. "But that doesn't score points. We struggled to execute offensively, we just couldn't put the ball away."
Kelly Riesgraf (Sr. Chaska, MN) led the Blugolds with 10 kills while Jenna Smits (Sr. Green Bay, WI) added 31 assists. Three Blugolds recorded double digits digs; Amber Karn (Fr. Middleton, WI) and Kasey Schumacher (So. Minooka, IL) each recorded 11 while Talia Jaskulske (So. Maplewood, MN) tallied 13 digs.
Zorn Arena was packed for the Blugold opener, with over 1,000 spectators braving the heat and humidity.
"The crowd was outstanding and showed a lot of energy," said Wudi. "We fed off the crowd in a lot of ways; it was a great atmosphere."
The Blugolds (0-1) will play in the Bethel Tournament over the weekend before returning to the McPhee Center on September 9 when they host Viterbo.