SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 12 Gustavus volleyball team returns to MIAC action Wednesday night as it travels to Carleton for a 7 p.m. match. The Gusties enter with a 10-2 overall record and 1-0 mark in the MIAC, while Carleton is 10-1 overall and 1-0 in the league.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus most recently competed at the Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament last weekend at UW-Eau Claire and won two of three matches. The Gusties lost in five sets to host UW-Eau Claire followed by wins over Edgewood and Lakeland. After 12 matches this season, Kate Holtan (So., Rochester, Minn.) leads the attack with 146 kills, averaging 3.24 per set with a .245 hitting percentage. Nora Holtan (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) sets up the offense averaging 9.87 assists per set to go along with 1.73 kills per set and 2.29 digs per set. Brittany Luethmers (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) leads the defense with 210 digs (4.67 per set). On the front line, Sam Haugen (Sr., Becker, Minn.) has a team-best 38 blocks.
Scouting the Knights: Carleton is off to its best start to a season since 2007 when it began the year 17-1. The Knights most recently went 3-0 at the Macalester Invitational last weekend, defeating Alverno, Beloit, and Grinnell. They have been successful on the serve with four players over 20 aces through 11 matches. Abby Loe and Inger Shelton lead the team with 25 aces apiece. Elyse Wansenried has a team-high 119 kills with a .270 attack percentage, Celeste Chen leads the back line with 3.6 digs per set, while Shelton sets up the offense with 4.72 assists per set.