The Gustavus volleyball team picked up two wins at the IIAC-MIAC Border Battle with 3-1 victories over Coe and Buena Vista in Indianola, Iowa on Saturday. Four players finished with double-digit kills in both matches to help the Gusties overcome injuries to add to the win column. Bridget Burtzel compiled 99 assists and 25 digs for the day. Gustavus improves to 14-6 overall after playing four matches in 24-hours.
An early morning match against Coe did not stop Coach Eckheart’s squad from winning by the scores of 28-30, 30-23, 30-26, and 30-28. Jen Thelemann (Le Sueur, Minn.) had a team-high 17 kills and 5.5 total blocks. Andrea Kron (Cold Spring, Minn.), Meghan Gehring (Eau Claire, Wis.), and Beth Butala (Bloomington, Minn.) finished with ten kills each. The Gustie blockers provided valuable points as Gustavus outblocked Coe 15.5-8.
Gehring had a career-high 21 kills and team-high 6.5 blocks to lead Gustavus past Buena Vista 32-30, 25-30, 30-23, and 32-30. Butala, who had her second career start as a Gustie, posted her first double-double with 14 kills and 21 digs. Thelemann and Kron also contributed 14 kills apiece. Emily Klein had her third 30-dig match of the season finishing with 31 digs. Blocking was an offensive weapon for Gustavus as the team notched 17 blocks in the win.
Gustavus will return to MIAC competition against the College of St. Catherine Wednesday, October 10 at 7:00 in St. Paul.