CHICAGO, Ill. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team was back in nonconference play as they traveled to the University of Chicago for two top-20 matchups. Game one featured UW-Eau Claire taking on the host team and a 3-2 win over the University of Chicago Maroons. Game two showed a close battle between the Blugolds and No. 4 Hope College, but the Flying Dutch came out on top with a 3-0 defeat of the Blugolds.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
In game one, Arianna Barrett (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) and Makenzie Bachmann (Sr. – Chaska, MN) led Eau Claire with double-doubles in kills and digs. Barrett accounted for 13 kills and 13 digs, while Bachmann tallied 13 kills and 23 digs.
With a fast start and a ten-point win in set one, the Blugolds kept their aggressiveness through their offense throughout the entire match. Jordan Witzel (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) gathered a team high with 15 kills during the five-set contest. Kendra Baierl (Sr. – Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic) was not far behind with 14 successful attacks of her own.
After dropping the second and third sets, UWEC powered back in the fourth with an 11-point win over the Maroons to force a game five. In the tiebreaker set, the Blugolds held UC to a team swinging percentage of .043 and beat the host team 15-11. Taylor Scalia (Sr. – Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater) led the Eau Claire defense with 24 digs and Sheridan Dettmann (Jr. – Watertown, WI) contributed 17 of the team total 94 digs.
In game two, UW-Eau Claire faced No. 4 Hope College in their final game of the weekend. After the thrilling five set win over the host school, the Blugolds kept things close against the Flying Dutch, but ultimately fell in three sets, 22-25, 23-25, and 13-25.
After the weekend matchups, UWEC is now 19-3 on the season.
The Blugolds will be back to WIAC competition on Wednesday, October 13th, as they host UW-Stout. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM at Simpson Field.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
