RIVER FALLS - The fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team swept through the first day of the UW-River Falls Trick or Treat Tournament tonight as it defeated both Bethel University (MN) and UW-Superior in three games at the Karges Center.

The Blugolds first defeated Bethel University 30-28, 30-24, 30-23. The Blugolds then defeated UW-Superior 30-23, 30-21, 30-28.

The Blugolds first opponent was the Bethel University Royals. The Blugolds rallied from 24-19 deficit in the first game to nip the Royals 30-28. Eau Claire had their best attack percentage (.237) of the match in that first game.

The Blugolds struggled a little bit in the second game with .091 attack percentage, but still defeated the Royals 30-24.

Eau Claire closed it out in the third game with a 30-23 win. The Blugolds ended with 43 kills in the first match and improved to a record of 23-2. The Royals dropped to an overall record of 17-11. The Blugolds have won 19 straight matches against the Royals.

Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) led the Blugolds with 12 kills. Abby Freiberg (So.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) added 10 kills and led the team with .350 attack percentage. Groh also led the team in blocks with six.

The Blugolds second opponent of the night was the UW-Superior Yellowjackets. The Blugolds defeated the Yellowjackets earlier this season in three games.

The Blugolds took the first game 30-23. Eau Claire had 16 kills in that first game and an attack percentage of .225.

The Blugolds second game was their best of the day as they won 30-21. The Blugolds had a .452 attack percentage and had just three errors.

Eau Claire finished off the Yellowjackets with 30-28 victory in the third game. The Blugolds finished with 50 kills in the match.

Jessica Groh once again led the Blugolds with 18 kills. Groh committed just two errors in the match and had a .533 attack percentage. Groh also led the team with five blocks and with three service aces. Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) added 13 kills and Abby Freiberg had 10 kills for the second straight match. Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) had 46 assists in the win.

The Blugolds now have a record of 24-2, while the Yellowjackets fall to 14-18 overall. The Blugolds have won 23 straight matches against the Yellowjackets and have swept the last seven.

The Blugolds will look to sweep their fourth tournament of the season tomorrow when they continue the Trick or Treat Tournament and face Lakeland College at 10:30 a.m. and then face Millikin University (IL) at 2:30 p.m.

Eau Claire-Bethel Box Score

Eau Claire-Superior Box Score

Tournament web site

- JR -