NAPERVILLE, Ill. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team dropped a nonconference match to North Central 3-0 on Saturday at Gregory Arena. The Blugolds pushed the Cardinals hard in each of the first two sets, but ultimately came up empty in the road matchup.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blugolds nearly overcame a five-point deficit in the first set, rallying from an 18-13 hole to make it 19-17 with help from two kills by Mya Cinnamo (So. - Rosemount, Minn.). However, the Cardinals won the final six points of the set to clinch a 25-17 victory.
- UW-Eau Claire raced out to an early lead in the second set, pulling ahead 9-4. North Central countered with a run of its own, but the Blugolds still led 18-15 later in the set. Another Cardinals spurt tied the score at 19 before North Central closed on a 6-3 run to win the set 25-22.
- A strong opening to the third set ensured North Central would close out the match. The Cardinals won eight of the first 10 points in the third set and the Blugolds couldn't recover. North Central took the final set 25-13.
- Bailey Leeke (Jr. - Lakeville, Minn./South) led the team with eight kills and four blocks. Ella Kiebel (Jr. - Maple Lake, Minn.) had a team-high 15 assists, and Kaitlyn Erickson (Fr. - Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) led the way with 15 digs.
- The Blugolds tallied a .132 attacking percentage, compared to .184 for North Central.
UP NEXT
The Blugolds (11-6) will look to snap a small two-match losing streak when they host 13th-ranked University of Northwestern on Wednesday, October 9 at the Sonnentag Event Center. Match time is 7 p.m.
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