EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team was back in action on Wednesday after a weekend of rest and recovery. The #11 ranked Blugolds hosted Cancer Awareness Night as they faced off with the #3 ranked University of Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles in the McPhee Gymnasium. A top-25 matchup between UWEC and UNW did not disappoint as a fifth set tiebreaker was ultimately won by Eau Claire for their 11th win of the year.
The opening set featured a defensive battle between UWEC and UNW as both squads kept the offenses under 0.100 hitting percentages. Charlie Nelson (Jr. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) and Sheridan Dettmann (Sr. – Watertown, WI) were busy off the Northwestern attack as they combined for eight digs in the first frame. The Eagles recorded three service aces and four blocks to open the match with a 25-21 victory.
Eau Claire found their rhythm in the second set with 11 kills between five different Blugold hitters. Hannah Flottmeyer (Sr. – Madison, WI/Middleton) and Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) combined for seven kills. UWEC's defense brought their success from the floor to the net with three blocks during the 25-23 set win to tie it at 1-1.
After 14 tie scores and five lead changes in the second, Northwestern found an early lead in the third to distance themselves from the home squad. Through three sets, Nelson, Dettmann, and Bailey Leeke (Fr. – Lakeville, MN/North) combined for 34 of the teams 49 kills. The floor coverage wouldn't be enough as the Eagles hit for .286 from the net to gain the 2-1 lead with a 25-22 set win.
With their backs against the wall, UW-Eau Claire came out big in the fourth set with another run to start things off, 3-1. Jordan Witzel (Sr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) found her stride in the fourth with a team high five kills. From the service line, Victoria Van Dan (So. – Burlington, WI) and Sheridan Dettmann added three service aces to keep UWEC in front.
The fifth set was the cherry on top for everyone in attendance as both sides put it all out on the floor until the final point. Arianna Barrett took over in the fifth set with five of her 14 kills adding to the Eau Claire total. Halfway through the set, UWEC built a three-point run to swing the momentum in their favor. A solo block from Barrett was followed by two kills of her own for a 11-9 lead. With a 14-11 match point, Hannah Flottmeyer sealed the deal with her 12th kill of the night, earning UW-Eau Claire the 15-12 set win and 3-2 home victory.
The Blugolds (10-3, WIAC 2-0) return to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Friday, September 30th when they travel to UW-La Crosse. First serve is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
