By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team got a much-needed conference win Saturday night over UW-Stevens Point as Head Coach Kim Wudi also collected her 300th career win.
A wild, back-and-forth first set was taken by the Blugolds, 37-35. Three kills late in the set from Kendra Baierl (Jr.-Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic) proved to be the deciding factor. Baierl would lead all Blugolds on the night with 21 kills.
Eau Claire followed up the first set by taking the second as well, 25-21. Despite falling behind early on, the Blugolds showed resiliency in the comeback. A kill from Arianna Barrett (So.-Lakeville, MN/North) off a feed from Taylor Scalia (Jr.-Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) finished off the set.
The Pointers responded by winning the third set, 26-24. However, Eau Claire was able to dash any comeback hopes by locking down the fourth and final set, 25-20. A kill by Barrett once again concluded the set.
Barrett would finish the night with 19 kills in total, coming behind only Baierl. Makenzie Bachmann (Jr.-Chaska, MN) added 16 kills as well. Abbey Pederson (So.-Canby, MN) set up her teammates all night, finishing with 60 assists.
The win helped Eau Claire improve to 13-8 overall, and now 3-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They hope to continue their recent hot streak in another road matchup Tuesday night against UW-Platteville.
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