Gustavus vs. Augsburg (Senior night)
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: St. Peter, Minn. | Gus Young Court
Live Coverage: Live Stats | Video
Gustavus vs. Saint Mary’s
Date: Saturday, Oct. 25
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: St. Peter, Minn. | Gus Young Court
Live Coverage: Live Stats
ST. PETER, Minn. – The No. 16-ranked Gustavus volleyball team is set to close out the 2017 regular season with two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference home matches ahead, hosting Augsburg University during senior night on Wednesday and Saint Mary’s University on Saturday.
The Gusties (21-5, 6-3 MIAC), looking to get bak on track after two-straight losses, host the Auggies (18-8, 7-2 MIAC) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, then take on the Cardinals (15-11, 6-3 MIAC) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gusties had their eight-game winning streak snapped last weekend, being swept at Concordia College Friday evening and falling 3-1 at the College of Saint Benedict on Saturday.
SENIOR NIGHT
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 six seniors who have represented the Gustavus volleyball program with pride and class throughout their collegiate careers. This year’s group of seniors includes Claire Laakso (Bemidji, Minn.), Abby Leitch (Mankato, Minn.), Sammy Kremer (Lakeville, Minn.), Anne Ladwig (Albert Lea, Minn.), Marisa Morgan (Rockford, Ill.), and Shaefer Rupar (Merrill, Wis.).
IN THE POLLS
The Gusties dropped five spots in the most recent Division III National rankings, falling from No. 11 to No. 16 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. Fellow MIAC opponent St. Thomas moved up one spot from No. 19 to No. 18.
THE SERIES
Wednesday’s contest marks the 69th all-time meeting between Gustavus and Augsburg with the Gusties holding a 44-24 series advantage over the Auggies. Last season, Augsburg defeated the Gusties 3-1 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Saturday’s match marks the 60th all-time meeting between Gustavus and Saint Mary’s with the Gusties holding a 37-22 series advantage over the Cardinals. Last season, Saint Mary’s defeated the Gusties in five sets in Winona, Minn.
SCOUTING AUGSBURG
The Auggies are coming off three consecutive sweeps, most recently defeating Carleton College last Saturday to improve their conference record to 7-2 to share the second place spot in the MIAC standings. Junior Macey Terhell is the conference leader with 502 digs, averaging 5.23 digs per set. First-year Corrina Evans and senior Taylor Linn lead the Augsburg attack. Evans owns a with a .293 attack percentage (3rd/MIAC), while Linn has a team-best 3.11 kills per set.
SCOUTING SAINT MARY’S
The Cardinals snapped a four-game losing streak last week with a 3-1 victory over Hamline University, prior to being swept by the University of St. Thomas on Saturday. Saint Mary’s and Gustavus are currently tied for fourth place in the MIAC. Junior Brandi Blattner leads the Saint Mary’s attack with 291 kills (5th/MIAC), averaging 2.94 kills per set. Senior libero Clare Tack leads the Cardinal defense with 413 digs (4th/MIAC), averaging 4.26 per set.
GUSTAVUS NOTABLES
- The Gusties rank first in the MIAC with 13.6 kills per set and a .230 attack percentage, while ranking second with 17.7 digs per set.
- Nora Holtan (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) ranks third in the MIAC with 885 assists and fourth with a .292 attack percentage.
- Brittany Luethmers (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.) ranks second in the MIAC with 4.94 digs per set.
- Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) leads the Gustie attack with 287 kills, averaging 3.22 (5th/MIAC) per set.
- Claire Laakso (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.) ranks fifth in the conference with 0.94 blocks per set.