EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team was back in the McPhee Center on Wednesday night as UW-River Falls came to town for a regular season Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) matchup. A quick three set match saw the Blugolds sweep the Falcons 3-0 at home with 41 team kills and the UWEC defense holding UWRF to 22 errors.
Eau Claire started the match hot with a 17-7 lead and a pair of four-point runs. Bailey Leeke (Fr. – Lakeville, MN/North) and Jordan Witzel (Sr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) combined for six of the opening set's nine kills to keep the Eau Claire lead steady. The Blugold defense held strong from the start, forcing River Falls into 11 first set attacking errors and only seven kills.
The middle frame saw Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) take charge with five of her nine total kills to keep the lead in UW-Eau Claire's favor. From the service line, Victoria Van Dan (So. – Burlington, WI) led Eau Claire with two of the team's four service aces in the second set. A three-point run due to Falcon attacking errors gave the Blugolds a 2-0 set lead and momentum to close the match out.
Hannah Flottmeyer (Sr. – Madison, WI/Middleton) and Bailey Leeke ran through the Falcon defense in the third with six sets a piece, posting a team total 34.3% hitting percentage. Leeke finished the day with 12 kills and Flottmeyer posted an individual hitting percentage of 53.8%, scoring 9 of 13 attacks. Charlie Nelson (Jr. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) finished the contest with 33 assists to increase her season total to 440 helpers. With the defense still standing strong and the offense running on all cylinders, UWEC closed the set out, 25-16, and took the match 3-0.
The Blugolds (9-3, WIAC 2-0) will have a quick turn around as they travel to Bethel University tomorrow, Thursday, September 22nd. The Blugolds and Royals are set to face off at 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
