Every set counts in a race for a MIAC title this season, and with a 3-0 sweep over Macalester on Friday night St. Paul, the Gustavus volleyball team moved into first place in the conference standings. Too bad the Gusties share the No. 1 spot with five other teams. Gustavus improves to 13-5 overall and 3-1 in the MIAC with the victory, while Macalester drops to 5-13 overall and 0-4 in the MIAC.
Angela Ahrendt and Emily Phillips combined for a total of 21 kills in the match – Ahrendt knocked down a game-high 11 and Phillips recorded 10.
The Gusties took control early in the first set, leading by seven points at 11-4. With a 21-16 lead late in the set, Katie Ness served out the frame with four straight points to give Gustavus a 1-0 lead in the match.
With the score tied 9-9 in the second set, a kill by Emily Phillips led to a 9-3 run that put the Gusties up 18-12. A late run by the Scots cut the Gustie lead to 22-20. Head Coach Rachelle Dosch’s timeout and adjustments stalled the Macalester momentum, as the Gusties scored the next three points to win the set 25-20 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Both teams registered their best offensive set of the match in the third. Gustavus tallied 12 kills for an attack percentage of .333, while Macalester had 12 kills with an attack percentage of .242.
After trading points in the first half of the set, Phillips proved to be the run-starter once again in the third, igniting a four-point swing with the score tied at 14-14 to give Gustavus an 18-14 edge.
Macalester wouldn’t go quietly however, scoring five of the next six points to tie the set at 19-19. With the score knotted at 19-19, senior Olivia Warren had seen enough. Warren hit the floor for Gustavus’ 20th point, and then went on to serve the four straight points (24-20) – three of which were aces. An Angela Angela kill gave the Gusties a 25-22 set and match win.
Olivia Warren turned in a well-rounded performance with 15 digs and seven kills for an attack percentage of .429. Paige Breneman joined Warren in double-figures with 14 digs. Malea Noennig led with a game-high 20 assists and eight digs.
The Gustavus volleyball team will look to make it a winning streak on Friday, Oct. 7 at home against Bethel on Gus Young Court. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.