By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - Nearly a month ago, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team lost to the University of St. Thomas three sets to one at the Auggie Invitational. Since then, the Tommies have climbed into the No. 17-ranked position in the nation with only three losses to their record. On Wednesday, the Blugolds handed them loss number four, earning a sweep in the process.
Eau Claire controlled basically all of the opening two sets, winning quite handily 25-20 and 25-17. Things got a little more dicey in the third set with St. Thomas up 19-18 and then all square at 20 points. The race to five was won by the Blugolds, as they finished off the upset 25-23.
As a team, Eau Claire had a fantastic night hitting. Their team attack of .314 in set one, .400 in set two, and .227 in set three fell just south of .300 on the night at .293.
Four Blugolds that notched eight-plus kills led the offense. Madelyn Pashibin (Jr.-Minneapolis, MN/Minneapolis Southwest) had a team-best 14 on 29 attempts to hit .345. Krista Meyer (Fr.-Germantown, WI) and Emily Miller (Sr.-Prior Lake, MN) each hit .400 or better as Meyer finished with nine kills and Miller's eight on 13 attempts finished with a .538 mark. Jessica Coyne (Jr.-Verona, WI) rounded out the bunch with eight putaways.
Madison Surprise (Jr.-Appleton, WI/Kimberly) added three kills with dumps at opportune times in addition to her 32 set assists. Libero Talia Jaskulske (Sr.-Maplewood, MN/North St. Paul) led the squad in digs with 12.
Catch the Blugolds this weekend as they host the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday. They open up the weekend with Martin Luther College at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and complete the tournament against Millikin University at 10:00 a.m. and Augsburg University at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
