MINNEAPOLIS - The sixth-ranked UW-Eau Claire volleyball team swept the first day of competition at the eight-team Augsburg Invitational as it defeated Macalester College and Northwestern-Roseville each in three straight games.

The Blugolds opened the Augsburg Invitational by sweeping Macalester College 30-24, 30-28, 30-17. The Blugolds had 25 more kills than Macalester. Jodi Dunbar (Sr.-Platteville, WI) led the attack for the Blugolds with 17 kills. Jessica Groh (Sr.-Eau Claire/North) was second on the team with 11 kills.

Senior captain Carly Freiberg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, MN/Renville County West) had 38 assists in the victory. The Blugolds improved their attack percentage in all three games. The Blugolds went to 5-0 with the win, while Macalester fell to 3-2. The Blugolds are now 17-8 all-time against Macalester.

The second match of the night against Northwestern-Roseville went just like the first match as the Blugolds won 30-18, 30-27, 30-17. Jessica Groh led the team in kills with 11 and in blocks with seven. Carly Freiberg once again led the Blugolds in assists with 38 and had four service aces to lead UWEC.

Once again the Blugolds were on the offensive as they doubled up Northwestern 48-24 in kills. The Blugolds are now 6-0 this season, while Northwestern falls to 1-6 with the loss. The Blugolds improve to 5-1 all-time against Northwestern.

The Blugolds had the second best hitting percentage (.263) and averaged the most kills per game (16) on the first day of action.

The sixth-ranked Blugolds look to be on a collision course with 10th-ranked University of St. Thomas. The Tommies are also 6-0 and won both of their matches today. The Blugolds are 11-5 all-time against the Tommies and have won the last four matches.

The Blugolds will resume action tomorrow in the invitational, as they will face Wisconsin Lutheran at 11 a.m. The fifth-place and seventh-place matches will take place at 1:00 p.m. and the third and first-place matches will be at 3:00 p.m. All of the action will take place at Si Melby Hall.

Eau Claire vs. Macalester Box Score

Eau Claire vs. Northwestern-Roseville Box Score

- JR -