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.
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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. Â
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gustavus continues conference play Saturday at home against Saint Benedict.
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