ASHLAND, Wis. - Abby Freiborg (Sr. -Sacred Heart, Minn./Renville County West) recorded her 1,000th career kill against Northland College as the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team won two matches today at Kendrigan Gymnasium.

Coming in the second match of the day, Freiborg eclipsed the mark on her fifth kill of the match. She would finish with seven kills, putting her at 1,002 for her career.

In the first match of the afternoon, the Blugolds defeated Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) in a three-set sweep by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-14. In another sweep, Eau Claire beat host school Northland College 25-14, 25-20 and 25-22. The two wins improve the Blugolds overall record to 21-10, and also extends its winning streak to seven matches.

Against Bethany Lutheran, Eau Claire recorded 44 kills, five blocks and three aces. It was a balanced Blugold attack, with eight players recording at least one kill. Freiborg led a quartet of players with seven kills. Katie Fox (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chi-Hi), Danielle Lucia (So.-St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo) and Emily Zupon (So.-Antigo, Wis.) were the other three players to lead the offense. Emily Haese (Sr.-Mishicot, Wis.) and Amanda Lessner (So.-Watertown, Wis.)split the setting duties, with Haese picking up 23 assists and Lessner recording 18. Cassie Hunt (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) was tops in digs with 11.

In its match against Northland, Eau Claire dominated each statistical category, including kills (39), assists (35), aces (8) and blocks (7). Along with Freiborg's seven kills, Lucia picked up eight to lead the offense. Haese and Lessner again joined forces, with Haese dishing out 17 assists while Lessner had 15. Defensively, Eau Claire was led by Lindsey Smith's (Jr.-Maple Lake, Minn.) 15 digs.

With the regular season now over, the Blugolds prepare for the opening round of the WIAC tournament on Tuesday against UW-Stout. Eau Claire is the host school after claiming a share of the regular season title with UW-Oshkosh. The last meeting against Stout was a three-set win for the Blugolds on October 15. Tuesday's match is set to begin at 7 p.m. at the McPhee Physical Education Center.

Eau Claire-Bethany Lutheran Results

Eau Claire-Northland Results

- CL -