Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kim Acheson Junior Cassie Hunt practices with the team after winning the WIAC First Round versus UW-Stout on Tuesday at Mcphee. Round two of the playoffs, UW-Eau Claire women's team versus UW-Whitewater, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday in McPhee.

The top-seeded UW-Eau Claire volleyball team hosted eighth-seeded UW-Stout on Tuesday night in the first round of the of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship tournament.

The Blugolds entered the match with a seven consecutive match-winning streak, and with sweeps in their last three matches.

"We're not looking back," sophomore Danielle Lucia said following the team's pair of sweeps this past weekend. "I need to help carry my teammates and pick them up if they're down."

The Blugolds were only given two days to prepare for the match, but still managed to sweep the Blue Devils. With victories by 14 and 10 points, Eau Claire almost scored twice as many points as Stout in the first two games.

The third game, however, was a different story. With the Blue Devils leading late, 23-22, the Blugolds rallied to score the final three points, capping off the sweep.

Sophomore Emily Zupon led the team with seven kills, and sophomore Danielle Lucia added six more.

Senior setter Emily Haese led the team with 30 assists, and junior Lindsey Smith recorded a team high 10 digs.

With the win, Eau Claire will now host the remainder of the WIAC Championship.

The Blugolds will play against the fourth-seeded UW-Whitewater at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the McPhee Center.

"It's going to be a huge advantage to host conference on our floor," senior Abby Freiborg said after the team's co-conference title earning victory over UW-Superior on, Oct. 25.

"I'm really excited to have a whole week of home games, and to have that home court advantage," she said.

Eau Claire, victors in 12 of their previous 13 matches, lost to Whitewater on Saturday, Oct. 18, in McPhee.

The loss to Whitewater was the only WIAC loss for the Blugolds this season, which resulted in a co-championship title. The title was split with second-seeded UW-Oshkosh; however, because Eau Claire defeated the Titans earlier this season, they received the top seed in the conference championship tournament.

"I think our season has done a good job of preparing us for post-season play," Freiborg said.

The winner of the Eau Claire - Whitewater match will advance to the championship round. Oshkosh and third-seeded UW-La Crosse will compete for a chance to advance to the championship game, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8.

"It could be our last game," Lucia said. "We'll try and push each other and hopefully come out on top."

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