ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of Gus Young Court at 7 p.m. tonight as it hosts Hamline University. The Gusties enter the match after a pair of five-set road victories to improve to 23-2 overall and 9-0 in the MIAC, while the Pipers are coming off a 3-1 win over St. Olaf last Saturday to move to 11-13 overall and 3-6 in the league. A Gustavus win tonight would clinch the MIAC regular season championship outright, which is the first conference title since 1986.
Live online coverage of tonight’s match begins at 7 p.m.
GUSTAVUS LINKS: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
HAMLINE LINKS: ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATS
As is tradition at Gustavus, tonight is designated as Senior Night and a special tribute is made to the individuals who have dedicated themselves to Gustavus volleyball for the past four years. This year, the athletic department, Head Coach Rachelle Sherden, the coaching staff, parents and fans salute the four seniors who have represented the Gustavus volleyball program with pride and class throughout their collegiate careers. This year’s group of seniors includes Kelle Nett (Spring Valley, Minn.), Sarah Schuetz (Eagan, Minn.), Alyssa Taylor (Trimont, Minn.) and Becca Woodstra (Minnetonka, Minn.).
A native of Spring Valley, Ill. and graduate of Hall High School, captain and four-year varsity middle hitter Kelle Nett has played in 109 matches and 403 sets during her Gustavus career. She has compiled 699 kills, 138 digs and 236 blocks throughout her four years wearing the Black and Gold. The daughter of Steve and Becky Nett, and of granddaughter of super fan, Marna Stevens, Kelle will graduate this spring with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, and a minor in neuroscience. Her current GPA is 3.81 and she is also the co-president of Tri Beta, vice president of the National Neuroscience Honors Society, a chemistry teacher’s assistant, and is involved in the Gustavus choir. After graduation, Kelle plans on attending graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
A native of Eagan, Minn. and product of Eagan High School, right-side hitter Sarah Schuetz has played in 49 matches and a total of 122 sets in her career at Gustavus. She has recorded a total of 117 career kills to go along with 46 blocks. The daughter of Jeff and Lynette Schuetz, Sarah will graduate this spring with a degree in biology and a coaching minor. She has a 3.6 GPA and is a senior class officer, Tri-Beta Biological Society secretary, Big Partner Little Partner mentor, Gustavus Technology Committee member, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, junior volleyball coach, and works at an assisted living center. After graduation she plans on attending a physician assistant school.
A native of Trimont, Minn. and graduate of Martin County West High School, captain and three-year varsity middle hitter Alyssa Taylor has played in 80 career matches and 297 sets while at Gustavus. Taylor is a two-time All-MIAC performer and ranks 18th in program history with 890 career kills. Her .350 attack percentage this season is best in the MIAC and her 1.17 blocks per set average ranks second in the conference and 11th in the nation. The daughter of Rodger and Jill Taylor, Alyssa will graduate this spring with a degree in health fitness and a minor in coaching. She currently has a 3.74 GPA and is a human anatomy teacher’s assistant, junior volleyball coach, intern at Verizon Wireless Health and Wellness Center, and stud student-worker for Coach Ro. Alyssa will graduate in December and recently accepted a two-year position with the South Carolina volleyball program where she will pursue a master’s degree in sport and entertainment management while working as the graduate assistant for the both the indoor and beach volleyball teams.
A native of Minnetonka, Minn. and graduate of Hopkins High School, captain and four-year outside hitter Becca Woodstra has played in 106 matches and a total of 386 sets in her career at Gustavus. She has recorded 818 career kills, which ranks 21st in program history. Becca also has 664 digs and 82 blocks in her career. The daughter of Brad and Julie Woodstra, Becca will graduate this spring with a degree in communication studies and a business management minor. She currently has as GPA of 3.875 and is on the executive board for Gustavus Women in Leadership, is in the communication studies club, participant of the mentoring program, and volunteers for Special Olympics. Post graduation, Becca plans to apply for jobs in human resources, distribution training, and/or sales at Allianz, where she interned this summer.
The Gustavus volleyball program also recognizes its senior trainer Jacob Kohl, and senior student coaches Amber Hoffman and Andy Haistings for all their hard work and commitment to the team.