SAINT PETER, Minn. – The No. 11 Gustavus volleyball team pays a visit to MIAC foe St. Thomas Wednesday night. The Gusties, who are coming off a 3-0 weekend at the UW-Whitewater tournament, enter the match 18-2 overall and 6-0 in the MIAC, while the Tommies are 16-6 overall and 5-1 in the league.
The Series: Tonight’s match marks the 56th all-time meeting between the Gustavus and St. Thomas volleyball programs with the Tommies leading the series 34-20-1. Last season the Gusties won in straight sets on Oct. 11 in Saint Peter. The Black and Gold is currently on a four-match winning streak against the Tommies.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is currently riding a 10-match winning streak, most recently going 3-0 at the UW-Whitewater this past weekend. The Gusties defeated UW-Stevens Point in four sets on Friday and then beat both UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater in five sets on Saturday. Gustavus’s 90 percent winning percentage ranks 10th in the country, which is backed by a strong offensive attack. The Gusties’ 13.08 kills and 12.20 assists per set both rank 29th in Division III and their .234 hitting percentage is 33rd. Kate Holtan (So., Rochester, Minn.) continues to lead the attack with 244 kills (3.3 per set) and is strong on the back line as well, averaging 3.04 digs per set. Nora Holtan (Sr., Rochester, Minn.) directs traffic on the floor with 9.77 assists per set. Her .320 hitting percentage is best on the team. Brittany Luethmers (Sr., Prior Lake, Minn.) leads the defense with 4.62 digs per set.
Scouting the Tommies: St. Thomas enters tonight on a three-match winning streak, also going 3-0 at the UW-Whitewater tournament. The Tommies defeated Wheaton and Luther in straight sets and UW-Stevens Point in five sets. They lead the MIAC in kills (1028), assists (972), and solo blocks (39). Whitney Lloyd leads the offense with 3.0 kills per set and a .320 hitting percentage. The offense runs through Katharine Mallak and Hannah Schwartz who average 6.15 and 5.05 assists per set, respectively. Madie Kroehler leads the back line with 455 digs (4.33 per set).