Blugold Volleyball team continues stringing wins together

    Blugolds add conference victory against Stevens Point to win streak

    More stories from Sam Martinez

    Blugold+Volleyball+team+continues+stringing+wins+together

    Photo by SUBMITTED

    The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team continued to roll last night with a three-set victory against No. 13 UW-Stevens Point.

    The Blugolds are on a six-game win streak and they have not dropped a match since losing in five sets to UW-La Crosse on Sept. 23.

    The Blugolds defeated the Pointers 25-22, 25-22 and 29-27. Senior outside hitter Hannah Theisen contributed 15 kills in the victory and senior setter Jenna Smits had 43 assists.

    Smits said that it was nice to beat a ranked opponent, but the real focus of the team is making sure everything and everyone is running smoothly on their side of the net.

    “We have found out what works well for each individual,” Smits said.

    Smits said the team’s success all starts with good passing, which helps the hitters put the ball away.

    The Blugolds are a balanced team offensively, head coach Kim Wudi said, and since the team does not rely on one individual hitter, effective passing is critical.

    “(Good passing) allows us to get the ball to whoever is on that night,” Wudi said.

    Wudi said the team is confident right now, which helps them keep control while being aggressive.

    The win against the Pointers brings the Blugolds’ record to 16-6, 2-1.

    Last weekend the Blugolds won four matches in two days competing in the Wheaton tournament in Illinois.

    The team only dropped three sets over the weekend, with victories over North Central College (Ill.), the University of Dubuque (Iowa), Wheaton College (Ill.) and St. Mary’s College (Ind.).

    The team will host UW-Oshkosh on Saturday in McPhee. The Titans are the only undefeated conference opponent.

    Wudi said the Titans are a tall team that is playing well at the moment. She said serving aggressively and keeping the Titans out of their system will be key for a victory.

    Wudi said it is nice seeing the team playing well for each other and they have come a long way from the start of the season.

    “It has really been exciting to see (the team) come together,” Wudi said, “both on and off the court.”