(Photo by Don Stoner, Augsburg University)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team traveled to Minneapolis Tuesday night for their MIAC Quarterfinal matchup with No. 17 Augsbug and fell to the Auggies in three sets.
In the first set Gustavus jumped out to a 10-7 lead, but Augsburg scored 10 of the next 13 points to take a 17-13 edge. The Gusties responded with a big run thanks to a few Kate Holtan (Jr., Rochester) kills, as well as a big play where Kylee Cox (So., Brooklyn Center) made a one handed save and the Gusties eventually gained the point with a Holtan and Sydney Olson (Fy., Willmar) block to take a 23-21 lead. Augsburg though, was able score four straight with three kills and a block to close out the set.
The Gusties and Auggies played even to start set two, with Gustavus getting three straight kills to take a 10-7 lead. The two teams then split the next 14 points to be bring the Gustavus lead 17-14, before Augsburg scored seven straight to go up 21-17. the Gusties were able to bring it to 23-20, but Augsburg would close out the set to take a two set lead.
In set three the two teams traded punches early as they played to a 7-7 tie. Augsburg again, used a big run to gain the edge as they scored eight straight for a 15-7 lead. Three kills by Holtan in the next four points brought the deficit to 16-10, but Augsburg scored nine of the last 12 points to take the match.
Holtan finished the match as the game leader with 14 kills, while Sarah Elliott and Annalee Olson-Sola (So., Northfield) had five apiece. Mitaya Johnson (Sr., Kasson) led the Gusties with 16 assists in the match, while Hailey Embacher (Jr., Mankato) had 16 digs.
The Gusties hit .121 in the match, while Augsburg hit at a clip of .183. Augbsurg’s offense used an all-around effort in the contest with five players having between five and eight kills.
The Gusties end their season with a 14-15 overall record while Augsburg will advance and take on St. Olaf in the MIAC semifinals on Thursday.