NORTHFIELD, Minn. – No. 20 Gustavus volleyball swept St. Olaf on Friday night, improving to 19-6 overall and 7-0 in the MIAC. Although the Gusties won in straight sets, each frame was tightly contested with a difference of no more than three points.
St. Olaf held the early advantage to start the game before Gustavus took its first lead at 5-4. The lead changed hands seven time with 12 ties until a pair of
Lauren Klaith kills and three Ole attack errors at the end gave the Gusties a 25-22 win.
Gustavus got off to a quick lead in the second and held the advantage until the Oles went on a 6-1 run for a 16-15 lead. The Oles maintained the lead until a
Marlee Turn kill followed by two Ole attack errors put the Gusties on top 23-22. St. Olaf tied the game twice more before kills from Klaith and Turn finished the set at 26-24.
With
Kasie Tweet on the serve, the Gusties ran out to a 7-0 lead in the third. St. Olaf slowly clawed its way back to tie the game at 21-21 and again at 22-22, but the Gusties closed out the match with a kills from
Madi Kes and Klaith, followed by yet another Ole attack error, finishing with 27 in the match.
The Gusties hit .216 on the attack, led by Klaith's 13 kills to go along with a .324 hitting percentage.
Sydney Olson added eight kills and a game-high .727 attack rate. Olson also contributed five blocks and seven digs. Tweet distributed 33 assists and dug out 14 attacks, while Turn also provided 14 digs.
Gustavus continues conference play Saturday at home against Saint Benedict.
