CHICAGO - The sixth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team improved its record to 9-1 tonight as it defeated both the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CA) in five games and the University of Chicago in three games on the first day of the Gargoyle Classic.

The Blugolds first opponent was the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. In the first ever meeting between the two schools the match went the distance as the Blugolds rallied to pull out in a five-game thriller 24-30, 33-35, 30-18, 30-15, 15-13.

After C-M-S won the first two games, the Blugolds took control winning the third game handily 30-18. In that third game the Blugolds had a .313 attack percentage, which was their highest percentage of the match. The Blugolds then cruised through the fourth game to send the match to a fifth and deciding game. Finally after an hour and 53 minutes into the match the Blugolds pulled it out winning 15-13 in the final game.

Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) led the team in kills with 27, which is tied for the third-most kills in a match in school history. Marnie Blau holds the record with 29 against UW-La Crosse in 1995. Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) led the team in assists with 46 and her sister Abby Freiberg (So.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) led the team in service aces with three. Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) led the team with 16 blocks.

The win improved the Blugolds to a record of 8-1 overall. C-M-S fell to a record of 4-3.

The Blugolds second match proved to be a little easier as they swept the host University of Chicago 30-21, 30, 20, 30-18. This was also the first match all-time between the two schools. Jodi Dunbar once again led the Blugolds in kills with 12 and Jessica Groh was second on the team with 11. Carly Freiberg led the Blugolds in assists with 32.

The Blugolds are now 9-1 overall, while the University of Chicago falls to 1-11.

The Gargoyle Classic continues tomorrow as the Blugolds face Illinois College at 12:15 p.m. and then face Lake Forest College at 2:30 p.m.

Eau Claire vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Box Score

Eau Claire vs. Univ. of Chicago Box Score

- JR -