The University of Wisconsin La Crosse volleyball team were unsuccessful in a Friday night matchup against Luther College. After losing the first game and winning the second, the Eagles were unable to come back, giving up the next two and ending the match 1-3.

As the first game started, UW-L and Luther were tied at 4-4 before the Eagles fell behind. UW-L Head Coach Amber Dunn called time out as Luther continued their rally to make it a six-point game.

Following the time out, the Eagles got the ball back after a response by UW-L Junior Mackenzie Rechner. Following a couple missed serves from both teams, Luther pulled out the win after a deflected block by the Eagles.

After losing the first game 15-25 the Eagles started the second game with an 8-3 lead. Luther quickly caught up, UW-L Senior Madison Entinger ended their rally with a spike cross court.

Luther closed the gap, but not before La Crosse scored 25, winning the second match by three. During the second game, Eagles Senior Stephanie Henk became the 10^th player in UW-L volleyball history to have 1,000 career kills.

“To have had 1,000 career kills in my time playing volleyball here at UW-L feels surreal, and I honestly am having a hard time believing that this is my last season,” stated Henk “I ended up finding out that I hit the 1,000-kill mark after the game from Coach Amber. She ended up calling me over after the game and handed me my “1000 kill mark ball” and said congratulations,”

Henk was unaware of the milestone. “It was utterly a surprise. I was still quite caught up from the intensity of the match that it was probably one of the last thing I was expecting to hear.”

As Henk continues her final season as an Eagle, she is eager to move forward, noting “I’m excited to have tons of challenging competition and just getting to put all my heart and love for the sport on the floor!”

After losing the third game 25-19, La Crosse strived to win the fourth and extend the match. At 20-15 the Eagles came back, scoring six points. However, after scoring against Luther to make it a 22-21 game, they were unable to stop the Norse, who ultimately won the game 25-21.

“Overall, it wasn’t our best showing. I give credit to Luther for sticking it to us and finding ways to take advantage of situations,” explained Dunn “We are dealing with some tough injuries early on here in the season, however we are ready to get back in the gym this week and get after our first conference match on the road this Wednesday!”

The Eagles take on UW-Oshkosh in their first conference game this Wednesday, September 20^th. Their next home game will be held on Friday, September 22^nd against Elmhurst College.