The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team went 1-1 in Cornell Iowa tournament play this weekend. The Blugolds move to 13-4 on the season.

The Blugolds opened the weekend with a three-set loss against the Coe College Kohawks. 

Charlie Nelson, a third-year exercise science student, led the team with 32 assists to keep the Blugolds close in each set, but the Kohawks won 22-25, 22-25, 21-25, according to Blugold Athletics.

The Blugolds then took on the Cornell College Rams in the second and final game of the weekend. 

The Blugolds came out strong to take the first two sets 25-18 and 25-17. The Rams mounted a comeback to take the third set 20-25. The Blugolds took the fourth set 25-20 to close out the victory. 

Nelson led the team with 45 assists and Sheridan Dettmann, a fourth-year exercise science student, led the team with 31 digs, according to Blugold Athletics.

Nelson and Dettmann were both named to the all-tournament team.

Dettmann said it was an honor to be named to the all-tournament team and that it shows the whole team’s success.

“It really takes everybody supporting each other and playing well,” Dettmann said. 

The loss against Coe College broke an eight-game winning streak for the Blugolds. Dettmann said she was impressed with the team’s ability to turn it around after the tough loss.

“I think we had to realize the sooner we forgot the first game, the better,” she said. “We had to put it out of our mind and go into the next game with a new sense of urgency.” 

The Blugolds traveled to the Cornell tournament in Iowa after a four-set victory at UW-La Crosse on Friday. Dettmann said these tournament weekends are difficult and the team needs to stay focused and healthy during these busy weekends on the road.

“It can be tough with a lot of driving and then sleeping on the bus,” she said. “We try to stay positive and control what we can. We can control our attitude and our enthusiasm so we have to give it our all.”

The Blugolds’ next game is at home against UW-Stout on Wednesday for a conference rivalry game. The Blugolds are 3-0 in WIAC conference play and undefeated at home.

The UW-Stout Blue Devils are 10-9 on the season and 1-2 in the WIAC.

Dettmann said the Blue Devils are a tough conference opponent and the Blugolds need to focus on one game at a time.

“Every conference game is a big deal, we’re always excited going into those games,” she said. “Stout is a tough team but we need to play that game like we play any other game.”

After starting the season 13-4, Dettmann said it is important for the Blugolds to keep the momentum going through the second half of the season.

“We talk a lot about just going 1-0 each game,” Dettmann said. “We’ve got to keep that mentality and just focus on what’s in front of us.”

Mohr can be reached at [email protected].