Winona, Minn. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse volleyball team opened its 2012 season at the St. Mary's University (Minn.) Sugarloaf Classic in Gostomski Fieldhouse.  The Eagles fell 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) to Luther College (Iowa) and 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-14) to Nebraska Wesleyan University in head coach Lily Hallock's first year as UW-L's head coach.

Versus Luther, UW-L hit .120 overall. Leah Putzier led the squad with 10 kills while recording two errors in 24 attempts (.333). She also recorded seven digs and two aces.  The Eagles' Kayla Ashland, returning after earning All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honorable Mention awards her first two seasons, finished with seven kills and a .385 hitting percentage (two errors, 13 attempts) Friday.  Lauren Probst had five kills and five digs versus the Norse while Brianna Jacobson added five kills.

Cassie Raduka led the Eagles with 26 assists while Katie Kaufman registered a team-leading 10 digs.

Against Nebraska Wesleyan, Putzier again led UW-L with 10 kills.  Probst recorded eight kills.

Kaufman led the team with eight digs and Chantel York recorded a team-high 30 assists.

UW-L returns to action Saturday, September 1 with two matches at the Sugarloaf Classic.  The Eagles face Edgewood College (Wis.) at noon and the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) at 2 p.m.