RIVER FALLS - The fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team swept its fourth tournament of the season today as it defeated Lakeland College in three games and Millikin University (IL) in five games to complete the UW-River Falls Trick or Treat Tournament at the Karges Center.

The Blugolds defeated Lakeland College 30-19, 30-21, 30-26. The Blugolds then rallied to defeat Millikin University 25-30, 28-30, 30-26, 30-18, 15-8.

In the first match of the day, the Blugolds faced Lakeland. The Blugolds had no trouble as they won game one 30-19. The Blugolds had 16 kills in the first game. The Blugolds then won game two 30-21. The Blugolds closed out Lakeland with a 30-26 win in game three.

Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) had nine kills to lead the team. Ashley Danielson (Sr.-Cadott, WI) had eight kills. Danielson and Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) had seven kills each to lead Eau Claire.

The Blugolds improved to 25-2 overall. Lakeland fell to an overall record of 17-16. The Blugolds are 5-0 all-time against Lakeland.

The Blugolds second match and last contest of the Trick or Treat Tourney proved to be the toughest of the tournament against Millikin University.

Millikin took the first game 30-25. The Blugolds had 15 kills in that first game. The second game was a close one, but Millikin won 30-28. The Blugolds had 20 kills in the second game.

The Blugolds took the third game 30-26 to stay alive. The Blugolds had 17 kills in the third game. The Blugolds then dominated the fourth game, winning 30-18. The Blugolds continued that momentum into the last game winning 15-8.

Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) led the Blugolds with 26 kills. Jessica Groh added 22 kills. Both Dunbar and Groh led the team in blocks with six. Carly Freiberg had 61 assists and Shanna Berger (Sr.-Baldwin/Baldwin-Woodville) had 26 digs in the win.

The Blugolds are now 26-2 overall and have won eight straight matches. Millikin drops to an overall record of 22-13. It was the Blugolds first win against Millikin as they lost their only other meeting last year.

The Blugolds are now 3-1 in matches that go five games this season. This was the second straight year the Blugolds have swept the Trick or Treat Tournament. The host, UW-River Falls also went undefeated in the tournament.

The Blugolds begin playoff action Tuesday when they host UW-Stout in the first round of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament. Action begins at 7 p.m. at the McPhee Physical Education Center.

Eau Claire-Lakeland Box Score

Eau Claire-Millikin Box Score

Tournament web site

- JR -