WHITEWATER, Wis. - Blugolds' Danielle Lucia (So. -St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo) and Jenna Weber (Sr. -Antigo, Wis.) enjoyed career performances as the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team was victorious in both matches today at the UW-Whitewater tournament.

Coming against Illinois Wesleyan in the first match, Lucia recorded 18 kills while Weber picked up 13 in a highly contested match against the Titans. Lucia's 18 kills is the third-highest kill total in a five set match for the Blugolds this season.

In the first match, the Blugolds won 25-16, 23-25, 25-22, 26-24 and 15-12. The second match of the day wasn't quite the nail biter the first match proved to be, sweeping Grand View (Iowa) by scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 25-20. With the two W's, the Blugolds improve their overall record to 17-10.

Against Illinois Wesleyan the Blugolds came storming out of the gate, winning the first set thanks in part to a .405 kill percentage. The Blugolds' hot hand would quickly cool and the Titans made every effort to steal the victory out from under Eau Claire. Head Coach Kim Wudi described her team's struggles in the match.

"It was a tight match after the first set," said Wudi. "Missed serves and hitting errors tell the story in the sets we lost."

Regardless of the unforced errors, the Blugolds persevered and took the marathon match. Along with Lucia and Weber, Abby Freiborg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, Minn./Renville County West) collected 14 kills to go along with four service aces. Emily Haese (Sr.-Mishicot, Wis.) had a season-high 53 assists as well as 13 digs. Lindsey Smith (Jr.-Maple Lake, Minn) continued her back row brilliance for Eau Claire, collecting team highs with 21 digs and five service aces.

In the sweep of Grand View, Eau Claire utilized a balanced offensive scheme, with nine players recording at least one kill. Katie Wall (Fr.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) and Lucia led the team with seven kills, while Katie Fox (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chi-Hi) and Emily Zupon (So.-Antigo, Wis.) both chipped in six. Haese had 24 assists and Smith lead the Blugolds with 13 digs.

Eau Claire takes the court for two more matches tomorrow at the Whitewater tournament. At 9 a.m. the Blugolds face Wartburg (Iowa), and the final match of the day comes against Coe (Iowa) at 1 p.m. Eau Claire has had success in the past against both programs, with a 4-1 record all-time against Wartburg and a perfect 3-0 record against Coe.

Eau Claire-Illinois Wesleyan Results

Eau Claire-Grand View Results

- CL -