By Tommy McGowan, Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The No. 18 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball beat UW-La Crosse in five hard-fought sets Friday night.
The Blugolds won the first two sets of the night, winning 25-19 and 25-15. Kendra Baierl (Jr.-Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic) led Eau Claire with six kills in the first set, while Arianna Barrett (So.-Lakeville, MN/North) and Taylor Scalia (Jr.-Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) added three digs.
After jumping out early in the second set, Eau Claire was able to finish the job 25-15. Mackenzie Bachman (Jr.-Chaska, MN) and Sarah Kuchcik (Fr.-Naperville, MN/North) were the leaders of the set, both tallying four kills.
UW-La Crosse was able to come roaring back, winning the next two sets, 25-22 and 25-20. The Blugolds were able to respond, winning the fifth and final set, 15-13.
Kuchcik led all Blugolds with 15 kills in total, while Barrett and Baierl tied for second on the team with 14. Scalia was also crucial to the Eau Claire win, as she added 22 digs.
The victory helped improve the Blugolds to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They will return to McPhee Center Saturday, as they face off with Northwestern-St. Paul at 5 PM in Alumni Day.
Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.