MENOMONIE - UW-Stout fell in straight sets to No. 5 UW-Eau Claire Wednesday night in the Johnson Fieldhouse, falling 25-23, 25-20, 25-18.
The Blue Devils and Blugolds traded points throughout the opening set. Stout led early 11-8 late but Eau Claire responded to take a 19-15 lead. Stout rallied to tie the set at 21 before Eau Claire pulled away for the 25-23 win.
The second set was close early on, with Stout trailing by one at 16-15 before the Blugolds ended the set on a 9-5 run to take a 2-0 lead.
The third set saw Eau Claire jump ahead early, but the Blue Devils battled back, pulling within one at 14-15. But the Blugolds answered with another late surge to secure the sweep, 25-18.
Brynn Hessel paced Stout with four kills and four blocks, while
Brooke McCune added seven kills and 10 digs.
Emma Barton contributed four kills, three blocks and an ace, while setter
Lainey Todd dished out 17 assists and six digs.
Kailey Kline anchored the back row with seven digs.
As a team, the Blue Devils tallied 27 kills and eight team blocks, but were held to a .038 hitting percentage against Eau Claire's tough defense. The Blugolds hit .177 for the match and were led by Abby Stanwood and Mya Cinnamo with nine kills apiece.
The Blue Devils (13-5, 0-3 WIAC) return to action Tuesday, Oct. 8, traveling to Duluth, Minn. to face the College of St. Scholastica at 7 p.m. in Reif Gym.
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