SAINT PETER, Minn. — The Gusties hosted Saint Benedict for a MIAC semifinal matchup Thursday night, and for the fourth time in as many matches, the Gusties posted a 3-0 sweep, punching their ticket to the MIAC Championship to be held in Saint Peter Saturday night. The Gusties posted set victories of 25-18, 25-13, and 25-22 to defeat the Bennies, extending their winning streak to 14 and record to 24-4.
The Bennies were unable to close the gap from the start of set one, as a balanced Gustie offense led to a swift 25-18 victory. Courtney Peterson (Sr., Jamestown, N.D.), Lauren Klaith (Jr., Rockford), and Offensive Player of the Year Marlee Turn (Jr., Kennedy) all posted three kills in the first set victory, while Maren Sundberg’s (Fy., Eagan) five digs kept the Bennies from challenging the Gustie lead.
The Bennies took one lead through the entire match at the beginning of set two, as serves from Emma Guest would put the Bennies up 2-0. That glimmer of hope was no match for the Gusties, though, as back-to-back kills from Sarah Elliott (Sr., Lombard, Ill.) would get Gustavus back on track, squashing the Bennies only lead of the match. Payton Auseth (So., Chaska) stepped up to the line with a 6-5 lead and delivered six unanswered points for the Gusties, extending the lead to 12-5. Sydney Olson (Sr., Willmar) added three kills and two blocks to help the Gusties to a 25-13 set two victory.
The Bennies put up their best fight in set three, as Mackenzie Knofczynski and Paige Andries posted five and four kills for Saint Benedict. While the Bennies would battle back from a 23-16 deficit to get within two points of the Gusties at 24-22, one final kill from Klaith would send the Gusties to their second MIAC Championship appearance in a row.
Turn finished the match with a team-leading nine kills, while Elliott added eight of her own and Olson and Peterson both posted seven. Kasie Tweet (Jr., Adrian) chipped in 31 of the team’s 34 assists and two service aces, while three players tallied double-digit digs, with Turn at 12, Auseth at 13, and MIAC Rookie of the Year Sundberg posting a team-high 17.
The Gusties will host St. Olaf at Gus Young Court Saturday at 7 p.m. for the MIAC Playoff Championship. The Oles punched their ticket after posting a 3-0 sweep of St. Catherine Thursday night.