EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – After suffering a five-set loss to UW-Eau Claire last night, the No. 9 Gustavus volleyball team responded with a pair of victories Saturday at the Sandy Schumacher Memorial. The Gusties beat Edgewood in straight sets 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 and followed with a four-set victory over Lakeland 16-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-22, improving to 10-2 overall.
With her first dig of the day, Nora Holtan (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) recorded her 1,000th career dig, becoming the first player in program history to post at least 3,500 assists, 1,000 digs, and 500 kills.
“It was excruciatingly hot,” Head Coach Rachelle Sherden said. “In the fourth set [against Lakeland] we were down 22-16 and came back for the win. Ellie Anderson (So., St. Paul, Minn.) served nine straight points. The team show resiliency playing imperfect volleyball in less than ideal conditions.”
Kaikea Welsch (Fy., Kansas City, Mo.) was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting 25 kills, 12 blocks, and a .375 attack percentage through the three matches.
Gustavus 3, Edgewood 0 | BOX SCORE
Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) led the Gusties with nine kills and a .333 attack rate. Nora Holtan distributed 23 assists and Brittany Luethmers (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) had 17 digs. The Gusties hit .274 on the attack and held Edgewood to a -.009 rate.
Gustavus 3, Lakeland 1 | BOX SCORE
After dropping the first set, the Gusties won the next three to secure the victory. In the fourth set, the Gusties trailed 22-15 and rallied for 10-straight points for the win. Kate Holtan was the go-to attacker during that span, registering seven kills as Anderson served.
Kate Holtan led the attack again with 22 kills and a .462 attack percentage. She also had 19 digs for her fourth double-double this season. Kate Holtan had 48 assists and 12 digs, while Luethmers dug out 21 attacks.
Gustavus next hosts Bethel at 3 p.m. Saturday and will celebrate its 50th season.