The Gustavus volleyball took first place at the Blugold Tournament in Eau Claire, Wisconsin by defeating UM-Morris and UW-River Falls 3-0 Saturday afternoon. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Thelemann (Le Sueur, Minn.) and junior setter Bridget Burtzel (Cold Spring, Minn.) were named to the eight-member all-tournament team.
Coach Eckheart’s squad swept UM-Morris in the early match 3-0 (30-24, 30-27, 30-13). The Gusties were led offensively by senior Andrea Kron (Cold Spring, Minn.) with 14 kills and Thelemann with 13 kills. First-year Nicki Ainsworth (Eden Prairie, Minn.) paced Gustavus with 22 digs, while Burtzel had 29 assists.
Gustavus clinched first-place by defeating UW-River Falls by the scores of 30-21, 33-31, and 30-21. Sophomore Meghan Gehring (Eau Claire, Minn.) put down 15 kills to lead the Gusties with an impressive .520 hitting percentage. Thelemann contributed 15 kills as well to the cause. Defensively, junior Emily Klein (Red Wing, Minn.) recorded 24 digs as Burtzel dished out 26 assists.
The 4-0 start is the first for the Gustie volleyball program since 1987. Gustavus will host the Gustavus Classic starting at 6:00 pm this coming Friday, September 7.