MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The 13th-ranked UW-Eau Claire women's volleyball team bounced back with two wins to finish third at the Augsburg College Invitational today at Si Melby Hall.

Eau Claire improves to 9-1 on the season, with its only loss coming yesterday to No. 21 College of St. Benedict.

The Blugolds kicked off the second day of action with a 3-1 victory over Northwestern College (Minn.) with scores of 20-25, 25-21, 25-13 and 25-17. In the third place match at the tournament, the Blugolds beat Augsburg College (Minn.) 25-19, 25-22 and 25-20. The University of St. Thomas, ranked seventh in the nation, won the tournament while St. Benedict took second.

Emily Zupon (Jr.-Antigo, Wis.), who won all-tournament team honors, led Eau Claire in today's first match with 11 kills. Four Blugolds finished with double-digit dig totals, led by Blair Murphy (Jr.-Hermantown, Minn.) with 15. Emily Naeve (Fr.-Salem, Wis,/Westosha Central) recorded 35 assists to lead Eau Claire. As a team, the Blugolds hit .182 while Northwestern hit .126.

In the second match, Rachel Ver Voort (Jr.-Madison, Wis./Middleton) and Danielle Lucia (Jr.-St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo) finished with 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Lindsey Smith (Sr.-Maple Lake, Minn.) picked up 12 digs to lead Eau Claire while Amanda Lessner (Jr.-Watertown, Wis.) finished with 34 assists to lead the team. The Blugolds had a .402 hitting percentage while Augsburg hit .160.

Next up, the Blugolds will open conference action with two matches at home. Eau Claire will play UW-Platteville Friday at 7 p.m. and UW-La Crosse Saturday at noon. Both will be contested in the McPhee Physical Education Center.