UW-Stout 3, UW-Eau Claire 2 |
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MENOMONIE (October 19, 2016) - After leading UW-Eau Claire 2-1, UW-Stout had to hold off a strong challenge from the 25th-ranked Blugolds, but the Blue Devils'
Carli Langeland and
Ashley Pratt came up big late in the fifth and deciding set as Stout took a 3-2 decision Wednesday at Johnson Fieldhouse.
The teams split the first two games by identical 25-22 scores with Eau Claire (20-7, 3-2 WIAC) capturing the first and Stout (13-10, 3-2 WIAC) taking the second. The Blue Devils made it 2-1 with a 25-23 third set decision, but the Blugolds, trailing by as much as 7-1 to start the fourth set, rallied back for a 25-17 win to send the match into a fifth set.
Both teams had big efforts in the fifth. The Blugolds' Heather Sawchuk, who would go on to lead scorers with 21 kills for the match, had four fifth set kills and Katrina Raskie, who finished with 15 total kills, had three kills in the final set.
Stout ran out to a 4-1 lead, but the Blugolds tied the score and took a 7-5 lead. The set would not be more than three points the rest of the way. With the score tied at 10 apiece,
Carli Langeland put down a kill for a one-point lead. The Blugolds attacked into the net and Pratt gave Stout a three point, 13-10, lead with a kills. The Blugolds' Katrina Raskie stopped Stout drive with a kills and cut Stout's lead to 13-11. Langeland pushed it back up to 14-11 before a Stout attack error made it 14-12.
A long volley between the two equally matched teams resulted in a Pratt kill in the middle of the net, taking a well timed pass from
Jessica DuVal and the Blue Devils came away with the victory.
Pratt finished the night with a team-high 15 kills, as did middle blocker
Kennedy Strain. Pratt also had two solo blocks and two block assists. Strain finished with one solo block and three block assists. Langeland contributed eight kills on the night and had three block assists.
The Blugolds confounded Stout at the serving line, recording nine service aces to one for Stout. Stout's
Anna Panning had 22 digs, while the Blugolds Talia Jaskulske had 21. Madison Surprise of the Blugolds finsihed with 48 assists. DuVal and 41 for Stout.
The Blue Devils step away from conference action, but not conference foes. Stout travels to La Crosse Saturday, Oct. 22 where they will face UW-La Crosse in a non-conference contest and Carroll University. Stout returns to Johnson Fieldhouse Tuesday, Oct. 25 to host the College of St. Scholastica.
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