The University of Minnesota-Morris volleyball team opened the 2004 season at home Wednesday night, but Gustavus Adolphus spoiled the party with a 3-0 win by scores of 30-24, 31-29, 30-18.
In game one, Jenna Maki (Sr. Clearwater, MN) gave the Cougars a 22-18 lead with a big kill and UMM looked like they were on their way to a win in the opening game.
But the “Gusties” outscored Minnesota-Morris 12-2 down the stretch and took a one game to none lead with a 30-24 win.
In the second game, the Cougars opened up a six point lead early at 12-6 on a Sara Nelson (So. Alexandria, MN) kill. Mandy Tauber (Fr. Villard, MN) gave UMM a 13-9, but Gustavus went on a 9-2 run to take a 17-15 lead midway through the game.
Minnesota-Morris battled back and took the lead at 22-20 before the “Gusties” came back to tie the game at 24-24.
Late in the game, Jenna Maki’s kill put UMM up 28-27, only to have Gustavus out score the Cougars 4-1 down the stretch, to win the game 31-29 and take a two game to none advantage into the break.
Gustavus came out in game three and opened up a 10-4 lead early and never looked back in a 30-18 win in the third game and win the match in three.
For the Cougars, Jenna Maki just missed a double-double with nine kills and 14 digs, Kelly Whipple (Jr. St. Francis, SD) had a team high 16 digs, Sarah Nelson added 10.
Ashley Janssen (So. Round Lake, MN), in her first varsity game as a setter for the Cougars had 24 set assits.
Becca Thompson led the way for Gustavus with a game high 11 kills, Rachel Batalden had 35 set assists.
Minnesota-Morris travels to Eau Claire Wisconsin for the UW Eau Claire Tournament this Friday and Saturday, September 3 & 4. They will play two games each day.
(Story courtesy of UM-Morris sports information)