By Matt Halverson, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team (11-6, 1-1 WIAC) got their first conference win tonight over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons in a clean 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-22, 25-19).
Box Score | Photos | Coach Wudi's recap
The Blugolds came out strong in the first set, with a strong initial performance from Talia Taskulske (So.-Maplewood, Minn./North St. Paul), who had already reached double digits in digs through the first set. She would finish the match with 18.
River Falls surged back in the second set; however, taking a firm 17-13 lead before head coach Kim Wudi called timeout. The timeout would become a key turning point in the game, as the Blugolds came storming back to seize a 25-22 set victory.
"We just needed to play fundamental volleyball," said Wudi on her mid-set timeout. "…they did a good job of just settling in and getting back into our pace of the game."
A third set victory capped off the sweep for the Blugolds, all thanks to a late surge led by Katrina Raskie (Jr.-Weston, Wis./D.C. Everest), the Blugolds' offensive superstar. Raskie finished the night with a team high 12 kills.
"We live and die with Kat, and I think today was a case where she decided to raise her level of play and the whole team responded," said Wudi.
With five remaining conference games on their regular season schedule, this victory evens Eau Claire's conference record at 1-1.
Coach Wudi and the Blugolds will head to Wheaton College this weekend for a tournament, kicking off against North Central College at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
