Blugolds earn All-WIAC honors

Blugolds earn All-WIAC honors

By Tommy, McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The 2019 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference volleyball team was announced Thursday, with five Blugolds taking home honors.

WIAC Release

Both Kendra Baierl (Jr.-Marshfield, WI/ Columbus Catholic) and Arianna Barrett (So.-Lakeville, MN/North) were placed on the First Team.

Barrett finished the 2019 regular season with 365 kills in total, which finished off third in the WIAC. She averaged 3.48 kills/set, up from 2.76 her freshman year. Barrett was especially strong in some of Eau Claire's most important matches, including 21 kills in the upset of No. 1 Chicago. She was honored nationally just this past week, winning the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Week. Barrett is just the second player in program history to win the award.

Baierl contributed 214 kills while posting a hitting percentage of .284, both career highs. She played particularly well during the conference season, including 21 kills against UW-Stevens Point and 14 against UW-La Crosse.

Makenzie Bachmann (Jr.-Chaska, MN) earned an honorable mention for her performance this season. Bachmann finished just behind Barrett in kills, with 233, and had 357 digs. Averages of 2.48 kills/set and 3.80 digs/set kept the Blugold offense humming along all year long.

Taylor Scalia (Jr.-Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) and Clara Olson (So.-Wyoming, MN/Forest Lake) were also honored. Scalia was placed on the All-Defensive Team, while Olson made the All-Sportsmanship Team. Scalia flaunted her defensive ability with 518 digs, averaging 4.89 digs/set.

Eau Claire is playing great at the right time, as they've won ten straight entering the postseason. Their first action in the WIAC Tournament takes place Thursday night against UW-Stevens Point at McPhee Center.

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