ST. PAUL, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team swept Bethel University on Wednesday at the Robertson Center, winning 25-18, 25-15, 28-26. The Blugolds secured the victory with a solid offensive performance, recording a hitting percentage of .205 compared to the Royals’ .086. UW-Eau Claire also showcased strong serving with eight aces, doubling Bethel’s total. The match concluded in straight sets, highlighting the Blugolds’ effective play at the net with six total blocks.
Eau Claire started the first set with strategic plays, initially trailing but quickly gaining momentum. Abby Stanwood and Bailey Leeke were pivotal in tying the score at 3-3, with Stanwood registering consecutive kills at key moments. A crucial 5-0 run midway through the set, highlighted by Leeke’s service ace and multiple kills, pushed UWEC ahead to a 16-10 lead. Norah Erickson contributed significantly in the latter part, with consecutive kills widening the gap further. Despite a brief Royals rally, the Blugolds closed out the set 25-18 with a decisive attack error from the home team, showcasing their strong finish.
The second set began with a back-and-forth exchange of points, but UW-Eau Claire quickly gained momentum with a series of errors from the Royals and strategic plays by the Blugolds. Lili Hagg led the way with crucial kills at 1-1 and 6-5, while Stanwood sealed the set with a decisive kill from Alex Kiebel, pushing the score to 25-15. Notably, the Blugolds capitalized on Bethel’s attack errors and maintained a steady lead, showcasing a strong team effort with contributions from multiple players, including Mya Cinnamo and Leeke, to commandingly close the set.
The third set began with UWEC capturing the first two points, including a service ace from Kiebel. Hagg’s early kill, assisted by Kiebel, kept the team competitive, but the Royals responded with a series of scores that pushed them into a mid-period lead. A crucial kill by Stanwood, followed by a series of Bethel errors, allowed UW-Eau Claire to regain momentum and tie the score at 20-20. The set reached a tense conclusion as both teams exchanged leads, with Erickson delivering a kill to level the score at 25-25. Ultimately, the Blugolds sealed a dramatic 28-26 victory with a decisive kill by Leeke.
Stanwood contributed eight kills and six digs, impacting both the offensive and defensive fronts. Leeke recorded seven kills and four block assists, enhancing the team’s net defense. Erickson posted a .385 hitting percentage with seven kills, providing efficient scoring. Hannah Thole added 11 assists, facilitating the offensive play for the Blugolds.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire improved to 7-1 overall after the victory. The Royals fell to 1-6 overall.
Looking ahead, the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team will host St. Catherine University at The Sonnentag Event Center during the 12th annual Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament presented by BSN Sports/Nike. The match is set for Friday, Sept. 12, with first serve at 7 p.m.
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