Volleyball splits on final day of Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament

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

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team faced two tough opponents on the final day of the 7th Annual Sandy Schumacher Tournament (presented by Nike/Eastbay), falling to No. 19 Carthage College and defeating Gustavus Adolphus College.

Carthage Box Score | Gustavus Box Score
UW-Eau Claire came out swinging against Carthage, taking the first set by a score of 25-20. Carthage would take the moment from there, however, as the Lady Reds took an early 8-3 lead in the second set and would not look back, tallying a 25-20 set two win. Carthage would go on to win the third set by the same score and the fourth by a score of 25-18.

For the match, Arianna Barrett (So. – Lakeville, MN/North) had another strong outing, recording 15 kills and hit. .368 while Kendra Baierl (Jr. – Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic) added nine kills (.250). Taylor Scalia (Jr. – Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) and Mackenzie Bachmann (Jr. – Chaska, MN) each had 14 digs while Abbey Pederson (So. – Canby, MN) dished out 34 assists.

The Blugolds faced Gustavus in their final match of the tournament and took down the Gusties, 3-0.

In the first set, Bachmann tallied seven of Eau Claire's 17 kills as the Blugolds took the first frame, 25-18. In the second, Bachmann recorded four more kills while Barrett chipped in five with Eau Claire cruising to a 25-16 victory.

The Gusties made things interesting in the third set, but the Blugolds would hold on to secure their sixth win of the season with a score of 25-23.

Bachmann and Barrett both finished the match with double digit kills with 16 and 11, respectively. Barrett hit .500 to lead the team while Bachmann filled out the stats sheet with a match-high 12 digs, three block assists and an ace.

In addition, Barrett and Baierl were named to the All-Tournament Team. Barrett tallied 42 kills on the weekend while hitting .442 with four block assists and one solo block. The sophomore also had 25 digs. Baierl hit .375 with 22 kills to go along with nine total blocks (two solo). 

Eau Claire's next match will open conference play as the Blugolds hit the road to take on 15th-ranked Whitewater on Wednesday, Sept. 18th. Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.