ST. LOUIS, MO (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's volleyball team looked to ride the momentum of Wednesday's win of #20 Northwestern as they started play in the Bear Invite hosted by Washington University-St. Louis. The Blugolds faced the University of Texas-Dallas and the hosts, Wash-U, in their first two matches and came away with impressive victories in both to extend their season win streak to three.
UT-Dallas Box Score | Wash-U Box Score
The Blugolds faced their second AVCA.org Top 25 team of the week in #13 ranked UT-Dallas in game 1.
UWEC opened the game with a 25-17 set win, backed by points from multiple Blugolds at the net. Jordan Witzel (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) continued her dominant play with five kills off seven attempts in the beginning frame. Eau Claire finished the set with a four-point run, swinging at 66%, and two serving aces from Charlie Nelson (So. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington).
The second set was a closer competition, but the Blugolds never once trailed. Mackenzie Bachmann (Sr. – Chaska, MN) tallied five of her 11.5 total points in the set and was nine of ten in her service receptions. A pair of block assists and the final point by Abby Volk (Sr. – Willmar, MN) towards the end would seal a 2-0 lead for Eau Claire.
The third set would change the momentum as UT-Dallas bolstered a 10-4 lead. The deficit was cut down to three at the 19-22 mark, but the Comets held on for their first set win of the tournament.
The final set of game 1 would shift back in favor of the Blugolds after an early 10-3. Witzel and Bachmann combined for 10.5 points to help the team keep the lead and close out the match win 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21).
In game 2, UW-Eau Claire faced the host school Wash-U for their final game of the night. With 35 successful attacks and nine blocks as a team, UWEC would cruise to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-13) sweep over the Bears.
Makenzie Bachmann led the Blugolds with a personal season high of 14 kills and swung for 41.4%. Barret led defensively with five block assists 10.5 points of her own. Kelly Page (Fr. – Merrill, WI) saw significant action for the first time this season and tallied 11 assists during play.
The Blugolds will continue play at the Bear invite tomorrow beginning at 12:30 PM against Lewis & Clark (OR). The will finish the weekend taking on Carroll (WI) at 2:30 PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
