WHITEWATER, Minn. - The Gustavus volleyball team had a tough task to start the UW-Whitewater Invitational on Friday night, facing the host and No. 7-ranked Warhawks. After decisive loses in the first two sets, the No. 19 Gusties battled for a third set victory before ultimately falling in the fourth. Gustavus drops to 17-5 overall while the Warhawks are now 18-2. 

Whitewater got out to early leads in both the first and second sets and never trailed through two frames, claiming victories of 25-16 and 25-15.

The Warhawks again led early in the third set until the Gusties gained their first advantage of the match at 6-5. From their the lead changed hands four more times with six ties. Gustavus held set point twice at 24-22 and 24-23, but the home team rallied with three straight point to serve at set point 25-24. A service error tied the score and then an ace by Kasie Tweet followed by a Warhawk attack error closed the set in favor of the Gusties 27-25. 

Gustavus rolled its momentum into the fourth with an early 9-4 lead, but Whitewater crawled back with a 7-1 run to take the lead. The Gusties recovered to regained a 20-19 advantage, but the Warhawks closed out the match with six unanswered points for a 25-20 win. 

Gustavus hit .113 compared to a .210 rate for Whitewater. Lauren Klaith led the attack with 13 kills. She also contributed four blocks. Marlee Turn and Maren Sundberg each had 18 digs, while Tweet added 33 assists and 10 digs for a double-double. 

The Gusties continue play at the UW-Whitewater Invitational tomorrow against Carthage at 10:30 a.m. and then No. 17 UW-Stevens Point at 2:30 p.m. 
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