Simpson Field | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds
Simpson Field | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team concluded its time at the McPhee Center with two victories on Saturday. The Blugolds first defeated UW-Stout 3-0 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) match and later overcame St. Olaf 3-0 in what was the final match played at McPhee. Next season, the team will host home games at the Sonnentag Event Center.
Since its establishment in the 1970s, the McPhee Center has been home to Blugold volleyball, hosting seven conference championship teams and one national championship squad. It has also been the venue for six conference championship matches and six NCAA Tournament matches.
In their match against UW-Stout, Abby Stanwood led with 11 kills, while Mya Cinnamo and Bailey Leeke contributed ten and nine kills respectively. Ella Kiebel provided 32 assists and anchored the defense with 11 digs, matched by Kaitlyn Erickson's performance.
The Blugolds began strong against UW-Stout, winning seven of the first ten points in the opening set. A significant run later helped them secure a comfortable lead before closing out the set decisively. In the second set, a mid-game surge allowed them to overturn a deficit they never relinquished. They dominated early in the final set to clinch victory.
Against St. Olaf, Leeke led with 16 kills while Stanwood added 15 more; Leeke also recorded 11 digs. Kiebel made significant contributions with 47 assists and 12 digs.
Despite trailing early in each set against St. Olaf, UW-Eau Claire managed comebacks each time to secure wins across all three sets. A crucial kill from Leeke marked an end to their tenure at McPhee.
Looking ahead, No. 25 UW-Eau Claire (18-6, 3-2) is scheduled to face No. 6 UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday, October 30th at their new venue during Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night where students wearing costumes will receive free pizza.
For further updates throughout this season follow along via Blugolds.com or through social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram as well as Facebook under "Blugold Sports."
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