SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball hosted their final home match of the season against St. Scholastica and took a straight-set win with scores of 25-17, 25-17, and 25-20. With the victory the Gusties improve to 23-5 overall and 9-1 in the MIAC. Notably, the Gusties went undefeated this season on their home court and won seven out of eight of those matches in three sets.
The team also honored its seniors; Hailey Embacher (Sr., Mankato), Kate Holtan (Sr., Rochester), Kylee Cox (Sr., Brooklyn Center), Annalee Olson-Sola (Sr., Northfield), and student coach Gemma Robey (Sr., Minneapolis).
The Gusties made a strong impact early in the match, putting up a 12-6 rush in set one and continuing to keep a five point margin on the Saints. Marlee Turn (So., Kennedy) impressed hitting .667 in the process while Holtan and Courtney Peterson (Jr., Jamestown, N.D.) combined for ten kills in a 25-17 opener.
Gustavus carried their momentum in set two with an 11-5 lead and added a 9-6 run for another 25-17 set. Turn added four digs and Sydney Olson (Jr., Willmar) notched five kills.
Just when it looked like the Black and Gold were in the clear to sweep, St. Scholastica retaliated jumping out to an 8-0 lead. Gustavus didn’t shy away from the battle, Cox and Keeley Oak (Jr., Le Center) remained solid on the serve as the team went on a 13-5 blitz. Holtan slammed the brakes on the Saints with a set tying kill before Peterson added the deciding two additional kills for the Gusties to regain control of the match in a 25-20 comeback final set.
Embacher recorded 11 digs, while Holtan put up 16 kills and six digs. Peterson tacked on 11 kills and Olson hit .571 in the match.
The Gusties close out the regular season on the road at Saint Mary’s on Saturday with a 7:00 first set in Winona.