NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team continued its winning ways Friday night as it claimed its 17th straight victory, defeating Carleton College in straight sets 25-23, 25-23 and 25-13. The Gusties improve to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Lauren Hanson (Fy., Redwood Falls, Minn.) and Becca Woodstra (Sr., Minnetonka, Minn.) paced the Gustie offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Nora Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) distributed 32 assists and Brittany Luethmers (Fy., Prior Lake, Minn.) dug out 17 attacks. Alyssa Taylor (Sr., Trimont, Minn.) proved to be a defensive force at the net with eight blocks.
“It was very close in sets one and two and we came from behind in both to win,” Head Coach Rachelle Sherden said. “Our passing was a little rocky in sets one and two, and Carleton was super aggressive with their serve. Then in the third Carleton made a few errors to begin and we were very aggressive in response and just kept rolling with that mentality the whole third set.”
The Gusties and Knights traded the lead twice early in the first set before Gustavus went on a 9-2 run to take a 13-7 advantage. But the Knights fired right back with a 12-3 run of their own to take a 19-16 lead. The momentum swung back in favor of the Gusties as they scored five consecutive points for a 21-19 lead. Carleton was able to tie the game twice at 22-22 and 23-23, but the Gusties closed out the set on kills from Hanson and Woodstra.
In the second set, Carleton led by as much as six points at 11-5, but the Gusties answered with an 8-2 run to tie the game at 13-13. The Knights regained the lead with the next four points, but once again the Gusties fought back and tied the game at 19-19. Carleton looked to be in control late in the game with a 23-21 advantage, but the Black and Gold took the final four points for the two-point victory.
The third set was much more lop-sided as Gustavus jumped out to a 10-4 lead and never looked back. The Gusties closed out the set and the match on a 15-7 run for the win.
Gustavus hit .248 on the kill (41-109, 14 kills), while the Knights posted a .111 attack percentage (33-108, 21 errors).
The Gusties return home tomorrow as they host the University of Wisconsin-Superior at 2 p.m.