By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The Kolf Sports Center hosted nine volleyball teams over the weekend for the UW-Oshkosh Invitational. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire took part in a pair of matches on Saturday afternoon, defeating Bates College in three sets and losing to No. 18-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University in three as well.

The Blugolds started off the day with the three-set sweep over Bates via scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-18. Eau Claire put together a .301 mark for hitting as five different players had at least seven kills in the match.

Krista Meyer (Fr.-Germantown, WI) led the charge with nine kills and a highly-efficient .643 tick. Kendra Baierl (Fr.-Marshfield, WI/Columbus Catholic), Madelyn Pashibin (Jr.-Minneapolis, MN/Minneapolis Southwest), and Emily Miller (Sr.-Prior Lake, MN) all ended with eight, and Jessica Coyne (Jr.-Verona, WI) had seven.

Setter Madison Surprise (Jr.-Appleton, WI/Kimberly) finished with 39 assists, while the leader in digs went to Talia Jaskulske (Sr.-Maplewood, MN/North St. Paul) with twelve.

The second match of the afternoon did not go nearly as well for the Blugolds. Illinois Wesleyan topped Eau Claire 25-19, 25-21, and 27-25.

It was Coyne tallying a team-best nine kills against Illinois Wesleyan, followed by Pashibin with seven. Surprise added 25 more assists, and Jaskulske's 17 digs were the high for Eau Claire.

Pashibin was named to the All-Tournament Team for her performance on the day.

Next up for the blue and gold is a pivotal match-up with UW-Stout on Wednesday night. The "War on I-94" rivalry will be renewed on Dig for a Cure Night at 7:00 p.m. at the McPhee Center with playoff seeding implications on the line.

Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.