No. 4 Blugolds fall in home opener

Photo by Bill Hoepner, UWEC Photos
Photo by Bill Hoepner, UWEC Photos

By Nick Hoven, UWEC Sports Information

Eau Claire, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 4-ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team hosted the No. 22 ranked Saint Benedict Bennies in a nonconference matchup Thursday night for the Blugolds' first contest at the McPhee Center, with UW-Eau Claire falling by a score of 3-1 (23-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-25).

Box Score

After dropping the first two sets, the Blugolds would roar back in the third with multiple kills from the team leaders: Mackenzie Bachmann (Jr. – Chaska, MN/Chaska) and Arianna Barrett (So. – Lakeville, MN/North). The duo accounted for 26 of UW-Eau Claire's 49 recorded kills on the night.

The Blugolds could not find any of that previous set magic as they fell behind too far in the fourth as the Bennies took the 25-15 win.

Leah Witzel (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) finished the night with 27 assists while Taylor Scalia (Jr. – Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) recorded 18 digs to lead the defense.

The Blugolds will take part in the Augsburg University "Auggie Invite" this coming weekend, September 6th & 7th for a three-matchup road trip. Eau Claire will face the UMass.-Boston, George Fox University, and the host, Augsburg University.

Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.