Jen Thelemann stuffs a Buena Vista attack.
Bridget Burtzel puts up a set for the Gustie attack.
The Gustavus volleyball team swept both Northwestern and Buena Vista 3-0 Saturday afternoon in St. Peter to extend its current winning streak to five matches. Jen Thelemann, Andrea Kron and Meghan Gehring finished with double-digit kills in both matches. Gustavus improved to 11-2 overall. The Gusties will get back into MIAC action Friday, September 28 against #6-ranked St. Thomas at 7:00 pm in St. Peter.
Coach Eckheart’s team defeated Northwestern 3-0 by the scores of 30-27, 30-28, 30-15. The Gustie offense was led by Thelemann (Le Sueur, Minn.) with 14 kills followed by Kron (Cold Spring, Minn.) with 11 and Gehring (Eau Claire, Wisc.) with 10. Bridget Burtzel (Cold Spring, Minn.) contributed 33 assists, while pacing Gustavus with 20 digs. Hillary Slatger led Northwestern with eight kills and 16 assists. Northwestern fell to 7-9 on the season.
The Gustie hitters came out swinging against Buena Vista in a 3-0 (30-22, 30-18, 30-28) victory. Four players compiled double-digit kills including Thelemann with 14, Gehring with 13, Kron with 10, and Britta Bolm (Alexandria, Minn.) with 10. Gustavus finished the match with a .260 hitting percentage. Emily Klein (Red Wing, Minn.) tallied a match-high 19 digs, while Burtzel distributed 46 assists. Buena Vista middle hitter Kelli Luitjens had team-high 12 kills and four block assists. Buena Vista fell to 3-11 overall.
Gustavus will get back into MIAC action Friday against #6-ranked St. Thomas at 7:00 pm in St. Peter, marking the start of a key stretch for conference play. The Gusties will play St. Thomas, Bethel and Carleton in a six-day span. These three conference rivals have a combined record of 33-5.