EAU CLAIRE - The fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team had its 11-match win streak snapped tonight, losing 3-2 to 16th-ranked UW-Whitewater in the McPhee Physical Education Center.

It was the fourth straight match between the two teams that went five games. The match was strikingly similar to last year's NCAA Regional Championship in which the Blugolds led the match 2-1 before losing in five games. The loss also snaps a 13-match home-winning streak for the Blugolds. The Warhawks lead the all-time series 32-18.

The loss drops the Blugolds to an overall record of 18-2 and a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) record of 3-1. The Warhawks improve to 21-5 overall and are also 3-1 in WIAC play.

The Blugolds jumped on the defending NCAA Division III National Championships, winning the first game 30-26. Both teams had a .100 attack percentage in the first game. The Warhawks had two more kills in that game, but also committed two more errors.

The second game belonged to the Warhawks as they won 30-24. The Warhawks had a .311 attack percentage in that game, their best of the match.

The Blugolds responded and won the third game 30-25. The Blugolds had 17 kills in that game, compared to just 12 kills for the Warhawks.

The Blugolds had their chance to take the match in game four. After Whitewater led 15-8, the Blugolds rallied to take a 28-27 lead. However, the Warhawks would get the last three points to win the game 30-28 and send the match to a fifth and deciding game.

The Warhawks would take that final game 15-10 to win the match. The Warhawks had eight kills in that final game.

Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) led the Blugolds with 18 kills and had a .218 attack percentage. Abby Freiberg (So.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) was second on the team with 13 kills. Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) had 49 assists and Heather Harnell (Jr.-Minnetonka, MN) had three service aces to lead the team. Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) led the Blugolds with five blocks.

The Blugolds will host their final regular season home match tomorrow afternoon when they face UW-Stevens Point. Action gets underway at 2 p.m. in the McPhee Physical Education Center.

Eau Claire-Whitewater Box Score

- JR -