PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - For the second time in as many days, the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team was pushed to the limit, defeating UW-Platteville in five sets at Williams Fieldhouse by scores of 22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 17-25 and 15-8.

With the win, the Blugolds are a perfect 2-0 in WIAC competition and 8-6 overall, while the Pioneers drop to 2-1 in conference play and 8-5 overall. The victory also avenges a loss from last season, when seventh-seeded Platteville knocked out third-seeded Eau Claire in four sets at the WIAC conference tournament semifinal.

Although the kill totals were even at 53 apiece, Eau Claire edged Platteville in percentage, .192-.155. The Blugolds were also solid from the service line, recording 10 aces to the Pioneers six. Each team had seven blocks, while Platteville outnumbered Eau Claire's dig total 78-69.

The Blugolds had another balanced scoring attack, with four players reaching 10 or more kills. Abby Freiborg (Sr.-Sacred Heart, Minn./Renville County West) paced the team with 12 kills, while Katie Fox (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chi-Hi), Jenna Weber (Sr.-Antigo, Wis.) and Danielle Lucia (So.-St.Cloud, Minn./Apollo) each grabbed 10 kills, respectively. Emily Haese (Sr.-Mishicot, Wis.) had a team-high 40 assists.

Defensively, Lindsey Smith (Jr.-Maple Lake, Minn.) led the Blugolds with 21 digs, with Rachel Ver Voort (So.-Madison, Wis./Middleton) chipping 15. Smith and Weber also combined for six of the 10 Eau Claire service aces.

Lisa Bell and Melissa Hillebrand each had 12 kills for the Pioneers, while Abby Carey racked up 31 digs on defense.

Up next for the Blugolds is the Central College Tournament in Pella, Iowa, where they will take on Hope College (Mich.) on September 26. The match will be the first-ever between these two teams. Hope is currently 10-3 on the season.

Eau Claire-Platteville Box Score

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