The Gustavus volleyball team made new head coach Rachelle Dosch’s first game as a collegiate head coach a successful one as the Gusties defeated Augustana College by the score of 3-1 at the Elmhurst Invitational in Elmhurst, Illinois. Dosch’s squad dropped its second contest of the day to host Elmhurst by the score of 0-3.
Against Augustana, the Gusties lost game one 21-25, but won the next three 25-21, 26-24, and 25-16 to win the match. Angela Ahrendt and Nicki Ainsworth led the attack with 10 and 9 kills, respectively. Ahrendt led the front line defensively with 13 blocks, while Jenny Ewert and Malea Noennig led the back row defense with 11 digs each. Noennig also registered 37 set assists.
Host Elmhurst shut the Gusties out in their second match by winning game one 25-18, game two 25-16, and game three 25-15. Ahrendt registered 10 kills and posted five total blocks. Jenny Ewert totalled 21 digs.
Dosch on the Gusties performance: “I was really proud of how the team responded against Augustana. We came out jittery and lost game one, but then found a rhythm and won the next three. I thought we passed well.”
Gustavus, which is now 1-1 on the season, will wrap up tournament play on Saturday with matches against Westminster College at 12 pm and Wheaton College at 2 pm.