MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team was back in action on Friday. The Blugolds started play in the 39th annual Auggie Invite hosted by Augsburg University. UWEC rolled through their first two games of the tournament winning 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23) over St. Olaf and 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-22) over #22 Augsburg.
St. Olaf Box Score | Augsburg Box Score
Eau Claire, coming in on a six-game win streak, started the first set in routine with a 4-1 early lead. Abby Volk (Sr. – Willmar, MN) led the team all game with ten kills and 13.5 points. After the early lead, the Blugolds hit the cruise control and never gave up the lead for a 25-18 win.
The Blugolds came out fast in the second with a 6-0 edge on the Oles. Mackenzie Bachmann (Sr. – Chaska, MN) had three of her four kills in the set within the first eleven points.
Despite dropping the third set, the Blugolds came out on top in the fourth in a close 25-23 set win. Charlie Nelson (So. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) tallied 36 assists and Taylor Scalia (Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) had 22 digs.
In game two, a highly competitive top-25 matchup was dominated by UWEC. Kendra Baierl (Sr. – Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic) went 13 for 21 at the net with seven assisted blocks to lead on offense and defense. Bachmann and Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) closed out the close second set with the final two kills to earn the 25-23 win.
The final set of the evening ended in with multiple three-point runs by the #13 ranked Blugolds to complete the sweep and set three win 25-22.
The Blugolds will continue play in the Auggie Invite tomorrow, September 11th, with a match set for Wartburg College (IA) at 9:30 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
