SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team will travel to Wartburg this weekend for four contests starting Friday. The Gusties enter the weekend after a clean sweep over Bethany Lutheran with a 1-0 record and will take on Wartburg Friday at 5:00, before squaring off with Milwaukee School of Engineering at 7:00. The team will face off against UW-River Falls at 2 p.m. and Luther at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Scouting the Gusties: Gustavus enters the contest most recently following a 3-0 win to Bethany on Wednesday. Kate Holtan leads the team coming off of a 10 kill performance, followed by Hailey Embacher’s 14 digs. Marlee Turn set the tone with 21 total attacks in the season opener.
Scouting the Knights: Wartburg enters polled in second in the American Rivers Conference coming off a sixth consecutive conference regular-season championship, finishing the 2021 spring season with a 7-2 overall record and return four all-conference players. The lineup includes A.R.C. defensive player of the year Katie Foster who finished the 2020 season with 199 digs, setter Claire Marsh with 225 assists, and Zaiah Quirk who had a team high of 136 kills.
Scouting the Raiders: Milwaukee School of Engineering enters following 4-8 overall record and 2-6 conference record in their condensed 2020-21 season. Bekah Smith returns as the team leader notching 124 digs alongside middle hitter Quinn Borchert who finished the 12 game season with 84 kills and 10 blocks.
Scouting the Falcons: UW-River Falls enters after falling to St. Catherine 3-0 in its season opener. Sophomore Sami Hilley led the team with nine kills, followed by Katie Koerper with six. Brooke Voigt had a top defensive performance with 11 digs.
Scouting the Norse: Luther is also seeking their first win after being swept by UW-La Crosse in its season opener. Sophomore Sarina Stortz spearheaded the attack with five kills, Hailey Becker tacked on 12 assists, with Anna Jenewein and Kasandra Keller locking down the defense with nine and seven assists respectively.