EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team hosted their first home Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) match of the year as UW-Whitewater came to town. Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) and Makenzie Bachmann (Sr. – Chaska, MN) led the Blugolds to a 3-0 sweep with 12 kills apiece.
The first set started with back-and-forth play between the teams with 12 different tie scores and four lead changes helped fuel the exciting match.
A three-point run in the middle of the frame gave Eau Claire enough momentum to maintain a lead to the 25-22 win. Kendra Baierl (Sr. – Marshfield, MN/Columbus Catholic) tallied five of her ten kills in the beginning set.
The middle frame showed another even start by both sides, but the Blugolds would string together a five-point run to once again build on a lead that ended in a victory. Charlie Nelson (So. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) gathered 14 of her 42 assists on the night in the middle set, while setting up Jordan Witzel (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) for 13 kills.
The final set led by Arianna Barrett's six kills and 20 team digs. Another five-point run that included two kills from Baierl would put Eau Claire with the last lead of the night, in the 25-21 win. Coming into the game, the AVCA.org coaches' poll had UWEC ranked at No. 15 in the nation and slotted UWW at No. 8. The home upset by the Blugolds put them at a season record of 13-2 and on top of the WIAC standings with two wins and zero losses.
The Blugolds will take the weekend off and be back on the road next week Tuesday, September 28th when they travel to St. Scholastica (MN).
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
