Gustavus at Concordia
Date: Friday, Oct. 20
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Moorhead, Minn. | Memorial Auditorium
Live Coverage: Video
Gustavus at Saint Benedict
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph, Minn. | Claire Lynch Hall
Live Coverage: Live Stats/Video
ST. PETER, Minn. – The No. 11-ranked Gustavus volleyball team is set for two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches ahead, heading to Concordia College Friday evening followed by a matchup at the College of Saint Benedict Saturday afternoon.
The Gusties (21-3, 6-1 MIAC) are in search of their ninth consecutive victory, facing the Cobbers (5-13, 2-5 MIAC) at 7 p.m. The Blazers (13-8, 5-2 MIAC) host Gustavus at 3 p.m. Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gusties earned their eighth consecutive win and 17th sweep of the season, totaling 43 kills and hitting .257 against the University of Wisconsin-Stout Wednesday evening at Gus Young Court. Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) helped lead the Gustie attack with a team-high 15 kills along with a .333 attack percentage. Lauren Hanson (Jr., Redwood Falls, Minn.) also guided the Gustavus offense, hitting efficiently with a career-best .562 attack percentage as she recorded 11 kills on 16 attempts with just two errors.
IN THE POLLS
The Gusties remained in the same spot in the most recent Division III National rankings, ranking No. 11 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll for the fourth consecutive week. Fellow MIAC opponents St. Thomas dropped from No. 19 to No. 20.
THE SERIES
Friday’s contest marks the 66th all-time meeting between Gustavus and Concordia with the Gusties holding a 40-25 series advantage over the Cobbers. The Gusties are looking for their fourth-straight win over Concordia. Last season, the Gusties took down the Cobbers in five sets at Gus Young Court.
Saturday’s contest marks the 58th all-time meeting between Gustavus and Saint Ben’s with the Gusties holding a 29-28 series advantage over the Blazers. Last season, the Gusties defeated Saint Ben’s 3-1 at Gus Young Court.
SCOUTING CONCORDIA
The Cobbers snapped a three-game losing streak with a sweep over Valley City State University on Monday to conclude its non-conference schedule and improve its overall record to 5-13 on the season. As a team, the Cobbers average 10.7 kills per set and own a .132 attack percentage. The Concordia offense is led by junior outside hitter Haley Cuppett, who has compiled 173 kills for an average of 2.62 per set. Senior libero Stephanie Baker guides the defense with 3.83 digs per set.
SCOUTING SAINT BEN’S
The Blazers most recently concluded non-conference play last Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Luther College to move their overall record to 13-8 on the season. Saint Benedict currently sits tied for second place in the MIAC standings with a 5-2 record, looking to create separation versus St. Olaf on Friday. In 21 matches, the Blazers have averaged 12.73 kills per set and own a .208 attack percentage. First-year middle hitter Madison Weiss ranks atop the conference with 1.12 blocks per set, while her twin sister Hunter leads the offense with 2.96 kills per set. Senior Megan Pekarek sets up the Blazer attack with 10.22 assists per set (3rd/MIAC).
GUSTAVUS NOTABLES
- The Gusties rank first in the MIAC with 13.6 kills per set and a .240 attack percentage, while ranking second with 17.5 digs per set.
- Needing just 25 assists to reach the 3,000 mark in her career, Nora Holtan (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) tallied 36 versus UW-Stout to surpass the 3,000 assist total. With 812 assists on the season and 3,011 in her career, Holtan currently ranks fourth all-time.
- N. Holtan ranks third in the MIAC with 812 assists and fourth with a .297 attack percentage.
- Brittany Luethmers (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.) ranks second in the MIAC with 4.93 digs per set.
- Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester, Minn.) leads the Gustie attack with 261 kills, averaging 3.16 (5th/MIAC) per set.
- Claire Laakso (Sr., Bemidji, Minn.) ranks second in the conference with 1.07 blocks per set.