OSHKOSH, Wis. - In a battle of top-20 teams to open the 2023 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships, No. 18 Gustavus cruised by No. 12 Calvin in straight sets Thursday night at UW-Oshkosh's Kolf Sports Center. The Gusties seemingly got better in each set, improving to 26-6 overall with their ninth straight victory, while the Knights end their season at 22-8.
Calvin had the upper hand to start the first set with a 9-5 lead and it appeared Head Coach
Rachelle Sherden was ready to take her first timeout, but a kill by
Madi Kes sparked a 10-2 run, which included four kills from
Lauren Klaith during that stretch. The Knights got within one point twice, but the Gusties sustained the advantage for a 25-22 win.
Gustavus kept its momentum rolling in the second, jumping out to a 6-1 lead with
Kasie Tweet on the serve. A 6-1 run by the Knights midway through the set brought the score within two, but again the Gusties held on for a 25-19 decision.
Much like the first set, the Knights held an early lead in the third at 10-6 but Kes connected on a couple kills while two attack errors by Calvin tied it at 11-11. A kill from Klaith at 14-13 gave the Gusties the lead for good as they extended it to a seven-point difference at the end, 25-18, capped by a
Marlee Turn ace.
Klaith led the offense with 18 kills and a .444 attack percentage. Kes was next with eight kills. Tweet assisted on 39 kills while adding 10 digs.
Maren Sundberg was the leading receiver, collecting 24 digs.
Gustavus takes on the host UW-Oshkosh Titans, ranked No. 3 in the latest AVCA poll, in the second round at 7 p.m. Friday.
