WAVERLY, Iowa (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team recorded a win and a loss on the first day of the Wartburg Tournament hosted by Wartburg College (Iowa).

The Blugolds opened with a tough 3-2 loss to Cornell College (Iowa) but rebounded with a decisive 3-0 victory over Simpson College (Iowa).

The Blugolds' first match got off to a rough start, as Cornell won the initial games 25-15 and 25-23. Eau Claire squeaked out two wins (25-23, 25-22) in the next sets, but ultimately fell 15-13 in a close fifth game.

The Blugolds didn't waste any time against Simpson. Despite a close second set, Eau Claire pulled off the match victory with set scores of 25-19, 29-27 and 25-15.

Laura Slinger (Sr.-Faribault, Minn./Bethlehem Academy) recorded 14 kills in both matches while Lauren Sutherland (So.-Dayton, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) led the Blugolds twice in digs, tallying a total of 34 on the evening. Emily Neave (Jr.-Salem, Wis./Westosha Central) led the team with 44 set assists against Cornell and followed with 42 against Simpson.

The Blugolds are now 9-10 on the season. Eau Claire will play two more matches tomorrow to conclude the Wartburg Tournament. The Blugolds will open the day with a 12 p.m. match against host Wartburg.

-AH-