SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team hosted the St. Olaf Oles and UW-La Crosse Eagles for a trio of matches on Saturday. The Gusties won in their conference match against St. Olaf in a comeback 3-2 win, and in their non-conference match over UW-La Crosse in straight sets. With the wins, the Gusties improve to 18-4 overall and 5-1 in the MIAC.
The Oles had the upper hand entering set one with a 10-6 lead until Gustavus tied it at 13-13. The Gusties went point for point before St. Olaf tilted it and broke the Gusties nine-set win streak, 25-22.
Gustavus had an early advantage with an 8-4 rush in the second set before the Oles retaliated and evened the score 10-10. St. Olaf tacked on a five point run that proved solid for a 2-0 match lead.
Just when it looked like the Gusties’ conference streak would be snapped, the Black and Gold rallied. Gustavus put the pressure on with a 9-5 advantage, but the Oles battled back tying it 13-13 and took over the lead. The Gusties got gritty and had a resurgent four point run and cut the match deficit in half.
Similar to the third set, Gustavus accelerated to an 18-12 edge and forced a decisive fifth set.
Rising to the occasion for the final set, Gustavus found its spark and lit up the court with a seven point run and an impressive 15-4 closing finish in the comeback victory and the first conference loss for the Oles.
Kate Holtan (Sr., Rochester) led the team with 14 kills and 15 digs while Hailey Embacher (Sr., Mankato) dished out 20 digs. Courtney Peterson (Jr., Jamestown, N.D.) recorded 24 assists and Annalee Olson-Sola (Sr., Northfield) had four service aces.
Looking to finish the day on a high note the Gusties put up a seven point attack in the middle of set one over the Eagles, carried it to a 25-15 opening frame, and hit .333 in the process.
Both teams traded one point leads in the second set, tying it 11-11 before Gustavus flipped the switch on an 8-2 run, posting a 25-17 second set to make it a 2-0 match.
The Gusties kept the momentum and tacked on a quick 9-2 lead in the second set and maintained the seven point edge to a 25-18 closer, winning both matches of the triangular.
Holtan had a team high 17 kills while Kasie Tweet (So., Adrian) made 24 assists.
The Gusties are next in action when they travel to St. Catherine for a conference match at 7:00 on Wednesday.