RIVER FALLS - The fifth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team lost the first game of tonight's match, but then went on to win the next three games to defeat UW-River Falls in four games at the Karges Center.

The Falcons won the first game 30-25. The Blugolds then won the next three games 30-28, 30-26, 30-18. The win gives the Blugolds a 13-1 overall record and a 2-0 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) record. The loss drops the Falcons to an 8-8 overall record and a 1-2 conference record.

The Blugolds struggled in the first game as they had an attack percentage of .075. The team had 10 errors, compared to just three for River Falls. The Falcons won the first game 30-25. Prior to losing the game, the Blugolds had won the last 15 consecutive games. The second game was very tight, but the Blugolds pulled it out 30-28.

River Falls was the team that struggled in the third game as they had a .073 attack percentage and committed ten errors. The Blugolds won that game 30-26. The Blugolds saved their best game of the match for last with an attack percentage of .419. The Blugolds had 16 kills and just three errors as they pulled away to win the fourth game 30-18.

Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) led the Blugolds with 15 kills. Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) was second with 13 and Abby Freiberg (So.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) was not far behind with 12 kills. Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) had 46 assists to lead the Blugolds. Dunbar led the team in blocks with seven and Shanna Berger (Sr.-Baldwin/Baldwin-Woodville) had 18 digs in the win.

Up next for the Blugolds will be the Augustana College (IL) Invitational this Friday and Saturday. The Blugolds will open the invite on Friday at 6 p.m. against Augsburg College (MN). They will then face St. Ambrose (IA) at 8 p.m.

Eau Claire-River Falls Box Score

- JR -