SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team will look to claim a MIAC playoff berth on Saturday as they host Saint Mary’s for a 3 p.m. contest. The Gusties enter 13-14 overall and 6-4 in the MIAC, while the Cardinals are 15-12 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
The Series: Saturday’s matchup marks the 62nd all-time meeting between the Gustavus and Saint Mary’s volleyball programs with Gustavus currently holding a 39-22 advantage. The Gusties won last seasons contest on Oct. 26 3-1 in Winona.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus is most recently coming off a 3-0 win over Macalester on Wednesday. Through 27 matches Kate Holtan (Jr., Rochester) leads the MIAC with 371 kills for an average of 3.75 per set. Holtan has recorded double-digit kills in 11 straight matches, hitting .285 in the process. Mitaya Johnson (Sr., Kasson) and Nora Lehmkuhl (Fy., Northfield) have split setting duties of late, averaging 4.97 and 5.64 assists per set, respectively. Hailey Embacher (Jr., Mankato) has been solid in the back row for the Gusties, notching the fourth most digs in the conference with 502.
Scouting the Cardinals: Saint Mary’s is most recently coming off a 3-2 win over Carleton Wednesday. Through 27 matches the Cardinals have employed an all-around effort on the attack with four players with at least 200 kills. Lexi Barth leads the bunch with 271, while Daynalyn Jostock posts the highest attack percentage at .227. Lillian Braun has been the team’s primary setter notching 1082 set assists, while DeJaye Babb has led the back row with 527 digs.
Playoff Implications:
If only Gustavus and Saint Benedict tie at 7-4…
Saint Benedict will receive the higher seed.
If only Gustavus and St. Olaf tie at 7-4…
Gustavus will receive the higher seed.
If there is a three-way tie at 7-4 among Gustavus, Saint Benedict, and St. Olaf…
No. 3 – GAC
No. 4 – STO
No. 5 – CSB
If only Gustavus and Saint Mary’s tie at 6-5…
No. 5 – SMU
No. 6 – GAC
If there is a three-way tie at 6-5 among Bethel, Gustavus, and Saint Mary’s…
The tie will be broken on game record percentage during matches between all tied teams, then point spread during matches between all tied teams.