EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The No. 13 ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold volleyball team was back at home on Tuesday night as they hosted nonconference opponent St. Scholastica. The Blugolds controlled the game from the beginning on offense and defense to earn the 3-0 sweep over the Saints.
UW-Eau Claire's dominance in the opening was a preview for the rest of the evening as the team swung for .481 in the first set. With 14 kills between six different players, the Blugolds tallied 18 of their own points to get the 25-12 win. Early defense and a 6-0 run to start the match is exactly how the coaching staff wanted to start.
"We were really in rhythm and in flow in that first set," head coach Kim Wudi said after the match. "Our goal is to always score 17 or more points on our own and I was really excited to come out, get three big blocks right away, and set the tone for the rest of them match."
In the second, Eau Claire once again got out to a big 6-1 lead and never looked back. Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North), Jordan Witzel (Sr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge), Hannah Flottmeyer (Sr. – Madison, WI/Middleton), and Maren Saunders (Sr. – St. Michael, MN/St. Michael-Albertville) all recorded three kills each to earn UWEC the 25-21 set victory. Despite a late 8-0 run by the Saints late in the set, UWEC prevailed with back-to-back kills by Witzel to take a 2-0 lead.
When asked about the late run, Coach Wudi was confident in her group and knows those situations are learning experiences. "When we get those lineups and let our players work through it, we as a coaching staff have all the confidence in the world in the full roster of 19 to come out on top."
The third set showcased a more even start between the two sides with three tie scores and one lead change. Sheridan Dettmann (Sr. – Watertown, WI) tallied six of her 13 digs in the final frame to keep Scholastica from reaching the Blugold lead. Arianna Barrett tallied three of her game high ten kills in the final set to help Eau Claire take a 25-19 set win and earn the 3-0 sweep at home.
The Blugolds (17-4, WIAC 4-0) return to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Friday, October 14th when they travel to UW-Stevens Point. First serve between the Blugolds and Pointers is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
