EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team (16-7, 2-2 WIAC) was handed their first loss in two weeks on homecoming against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The Blugolds looked strong early on, maintaining a narrow lead for most of the first set. They would take set one 25-21 after as strong showing from junior leader Katrina Raskie (Jr.-Weston, Wis/D.C. Everest), but it was short lived as the Titans came roaring back. Oshkosh opened up massive leads in each of the three sets to follow, proving to be too much for the smaller Blugold squad for the remainder of the match.
After the game, the Blugolds honored their five seniors at center court with an emotional ceremony.
"They're not done yet, and that's what I have to say about this group," said head coach Kim Wudi. "They want so badly to win in the conference tournament and play in the post-season, because, you know, that's what they've been used to prior to the last couple of years."
All five seniors, including Juliana Burzynski (Sr.-Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd), Jamie Dimka (Sr.-Wausau, Wis./East), Kelly Riesgraf (Sr.-Chaska, Minn./Chaska), Jenna Smits (Sr.-Green Bay, Wis./Preble), Hannah Theisen (Sr.-Rochester, Minn./Mayo) were welcomed with emotional words from their teammates after the game.
Eau Claire will spend the next week preparing for the Nike/Eastbay Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament in the McPhee Center, beginning on Friday against Concordia Moorhead at 3 p.m.
