Volleyball shows promise

A 3-1 weekend get the Blugolds a jumpstart

The UW- Eau Claire volleyball team secured three wins this weekend at the Augsburg Invitational in Minneapolis.

 

In game one, the Blugolds rolled through their opponent, Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.), beating them 25-18, 25-17 and 25-11.

 

Junior Kelly Riesgraf and sophomore Katrina Raskie each contributed seven kills adding to Eau Claire’s total of 37 for the match.

 

The Blugolds carried momentum into the second game, sweeping Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) by scores of 25-21, 25-13 and 25-17.

 

Senior Megan Tracy led the match with 11 kills while Raskie had 10 kills and a match-high 17 digs to end the first day of play.

 

The Blugolds started day two against ranked competition as the squad took on ninth-ranked University of St. Thomas (Minn.) and 22nd-ranked Augsburg College (Minn.)

 

The battle between the Blugolds and the Tommies heated up after the first two sets, which went 25-18 in favor of Eau Claire in the first while the second went 11-25 to St. Thomas.

 

The match ended in 25-23 and 25-21 in wins for the Blugolds. This is the first time Eau Claire has defeated St. Thomas since 2007.

 

After an impressive win, the team stumbled against the Invitational host Augsburg. The first two sets went in favor of the Eagles, with Eau Claire losing 11-25 and 15-25.

 

However, the final set came down to the wire and required extra play time to determine the winner. Augsburg didn’t lead until the score was tied at 26, but scored the final two points to secure the win 28-26.

 

The Blugolds look to increase their winning record against 15th-ranked Viterbo University at 7 pm this Wednesday in La Crosse.

 

Stay tuned for more to this story.