Volleyball Finishes Day 1 of Coe Tourney with 2 Wins

Volleyball Finishes Day 1 of Coe Tourney with 2 Wins

By Matt Halverson, UWEC Sports Information

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team (23-7, 3-2 WIAC) continued their hot streak with two wins to start their weekend at the Coe College Tournament.

In match one, the Blugolds topped Carrol University in a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-22, 25-18). Head coach Kim Wudi has made it clear to the team that setting the initial tempo of the match plays a large part in their success, which is exactly what they did. Eau Claire took set one in commanding fashion opening up a double digit lead, similar to the first time the Blugolds met the Pioneers this season, where they won the first set 25-9.

Sets two and three were more competitive, but the relentless Blugold attack prevailed in the end for their first win of the day. Hannah Theisen (Sr.-Rochester, Minn./Mayo) led the Blugolds with nine kills, followed by Keagan Kinsella (Jr.-Chanhassen, Minn./Chanhassen) and Kelly Riesgraf (Sr.-Chaska, Minn./Chaska) with eight, respectively.

Eau Claire's continued their dominance in their second match against Luther College in yet another sweep (25-21, 25-22, 25-22). Although the match was slightly more competitive than their first of the day, the Blugolds finish day one without dropping a set, riding a now six game winning streak. Theisen again led the team with 11 kills, followed by Kelly Riesgraf and Katrina Raskie (Jr.-Weston, Wis./D.C. Evereset) with eight.

To finish the tournament, the Blugolds will face Buena Vista University at 1 p.m. followed by tournament host Coe College at 3 p.m.