Chippewa Valley Times

Two athletes from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire volleyball team have been recognized in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Region Awards this season. Bailey Leeke, a junior from Lakeville, Minnesota, was selected for the All-Region 8 first team. Kaitlyn Erickson, a freshman from Champlin, Minnesota, received the Region 8 Freshman of the Year award. The announcement was made on Wednesday.

Leeke has been instrumental for the Blugolds this season, leading in kills, kills per set, service aces, and points won. She has accumulated 378 kills and 46 aces with an average of 3.63 kills per set. Her performance places her fifth in both kills and aces within the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Erickson adds to her accolades after being named WIAC Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year last week. She leads her team with 440 digs at an average of 4.19 per set and has played in all 105 sets this season. Erickson is also ranked fifth in digs within WIAC.

The Blugolds are preparing to compete in the 2024 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, November 21. They will face off against the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in a first-round match scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in Whitewater.

For ongoing updates about the Blugolds throughout their season, visit Blugolds.com or access their app Blugold Sports, as well as follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.