The Gustavus volleyball team gained a five-game upset over nationally-ranked Carleton College Wednesday night in St. Peter (27-30, 30-18, 30-25, 27-30, 15-13), handing the Knights their fiirst conference loss. The Gusties had five players with ten or more kills and six players with ten or more digs. Senior setter Rachel Batalden recorded a triple-double in the match with 63 assists, ten kills, and 17 digs. First year outside hitter Andrea Kron led all players with 20 kills, while junior Tara Houlihan had a solid all-around performance with 18 kills and 30 digs. The teams’ 107 digs ranks seventh all-time at Gustavus for the most team digs per match. Gustavus is now 14-5 overall and 4-2 in the MIAC, while Carleton falls to 16-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
The Gusties fell behind the visiting Knights early in game one, trailing by as many as six points before coming back to tie the game at 18. Gustavus and Carleton traded the lead before the Knights claimed the lead for good at 26, gaining a three-point victory.
Gustavus jumped out to an early lead in game two and never surrendered the lead. Senior defensive specialist Jenni Tischer served nine straight points as the Gusties earned a 10-1 lead, and later led by as much as 13, claiming the 30-18 win.
Both teams started strong in the third game, trading the lead through six points before the Gusties went on a 7-1 scoring run to take the lead for the rest of the game. Sophomore middle hitter Becca Thompson and first year rightside hitter Jennifer Thelemann recorded strong back-to-back kills to close out the game at 30-25.
Game four was tightly played throughout as no team ever led by more than four points. Gustavus led at 15-11 before the Knights tied the game at 19 and earned a close 30-27 win.
The Gusties came out strong again in the decisive game five, jumping out to a 10-5 lead. Becca Thompson scored six of her eighteen kills in the game en route to a 15-13 game five Gustie win.
Gustavus will receive another tough test on Friday, hosting #21 St. Ben’s before heading to Minneapolis to face Augsburg next Wednesday. The Gusties and Knights will have a non-conference rematch on Saturday, October 23 at the Carleton Triangular in Northfield.