Gustavus Adolphus College

SAINT PETER, Minn. - In one of the most entertaining volleyball matches in recent history, Gustavus outlasted St. Olaf in five sets Saturday night to claim its third consecutive MIAC playoff championship. Two of the sets went to extras, highlighted by an epic 17-15 fifth set victory for the Gusties, sending them to the NCAA tournament for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. 

"That was one of the most epic five-set matches that I have ever coached," Head Coach Rachelle Sherden said. "Both teams gave absolutely everything they had. Hats off to St. Olaf and especially their seniors. We knew coming into this match it would be an absolute battle for every point. I am very proud of our team for hanging in there and executing our game plan. We are fortunate to come out on top in the end and look forward to what's ahead in the NCAA tournament next week."

Lauren Klaith, who came up with two major kills at the end of the fifth set, posted a career-high 22 kills after being set 64 times. Kasie Tweet had a career night as well with 55 assists, directing the Gusties to a .169 attack rate with 66 team kills. Maren Sundberg led the defensive effort with 35 digs, also a career high. 

St. Olaf came out of the gate firing with a 7-1 lead in the first set. It took a while for the Gusties to get going but they did midway through the set with a 9-1 run to take a 14-13 advantage. After trailing 18-14, the Oles fought back to tie the score 20-20 but they followed with three attack errors and then Klaith and Sydney Olson put the set away 25-20 with a pair of kills. 

The second set featured four lead changes but the last came on a eight-point run by the Oles for an 18-13 lead. St. Olaf then held on for a 25-20 victory. The third frame set the tone for the rest of the match in a classic back and forth battle. Gustavus held a 23-20 lead after an Ole attack error, but the visitors rattled off four straight points and held set-point at 24-23. Gustavus fought off three set-points by the Oles at 24-23, 25-24, and 26-25 before Klaith connected on a pair of kills followed by a Mayssa Tweet ace to close it out 29-27. 

St. Olaf quickly bounced back in the fourth with an early 7-2 lead. The Gusties crawled back to get within one point on six different occasions, but couldn't get over the hump as the Oles won 25-21 to force a fifth set.

The fifth set was one for the ages and won't soon be forgotten by anyone involved. After trading points early in the set, St. Olaf rattled off three straight for an 8-4 lead as the team's switched sides. Not to be denied in what could be her final home game at Gus Young Court, Marlee Turn hammered down three straight kills to tie it 8-8. After an Ole kill, Turn again found the other side of the court for a kill at 9-9. The Oles answered with three straight to gain a 12-9 advantage, but again, the Gusties punched back with three straight of their own, which included another kill from Turn and two Ole attack errors. After a Gustie service error gave the Oles a 13-12 lead, Turn once again came up clutch with her sixth kill of the set to tie it at 13-13. An Ole kill on the ensuing rally gave them set-point, but Klaith answered with a kill to tie it at 14-14. St. Olaf fended off match-point to tie it 15-15, but Klaith answered with an emphatic kill and then an Ole attack error ended it at 17-15. 

Credit must be given to Ole libero Selena Rodriguez who made a number of acrobatic diving saves and finished the night with a game-high 38 digs. 

Gustavus, who earned the MIAC's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships, will find out who, when, and where it will play in the regional round during Monday's selection show, which airs on NCAA.com at 12 p.m. 


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