TACOMA, Wash. – The Gustavus Adolphus College volleyball team opened their season on the road on the west coast on Friday evening, taking on the Puget Sound Loggers and earning a 3-0 victory.
 
The first half of the opening set was closely contested as the Gusties and Loggers battled to 15-15. At that point, however, Gustavus went on an 8-1 run to take control of the set up 23-16. Puget Sound battled back to get within four points, but the Gusties would take the set 25-20.
 
Set two was closely contested to the final point, with neither team taking a lead of more than four points all set. At set point up 24-23, Sophia Deyak landed a kill to put the Gusties up 2-0.
 
In the third, Gustavus leapt out to a 5-0 lead. The Loggers battled back to get within three down 11-8, but then the Gusties won the next seven points in a row and nine of the next 11 to take a 23-13 lead. Facing defeat, Puget Sound battled back to get within four once more down 24-20, but Leah Berg ended the run with a kill to secure the 3-0 sweep for Gustavus.
 
Kyra Johnson led the Gusties with 12 kills in the match. Sydney Timm followed with 11 kills on .300 hitting. Macie Malchow had a team-high 18 assists. Olivia Stockham's 14 digs led the defensive effort for the Gusties.
 
Up next for the Gusties are two more matches at the Puget Sound Premiere on Saturday, August 30 against Pacific Lutheran University and Southwestern University.