NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College volleyball team traveled to Northfield to take on the Carleton College Knights in a conference match on Wednesday night. The Gusties fell 3-1 to the Knights, moving to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
In the opening set, Gustavus led 5-3 early until Carleton put together a 6-2 run to take a narrow 9-7 lead. The Gusties trailed 14-13 when the Knights went on a 4-0 run to take a five-point lead up 18-13. Gustavus responded with a four-point run of their own to draw back within one of Carleton. Four points later, the Gusties trailed 20-19 until the Knights put together a 4-1 run to reach set point up 24-20. Carleton would take the set 25-21 to go up 1-0 in the match.
Gustavus responded with a strong second set. Tied at 12-12 midway through, the Gusties rattled off five points in a row to go up 17-12. The Knights responded with a 5-1 run to cut Gustavus' lead to one at 18-17, but the Gusties won the following three points to go up 21-17. Carleton drew within two points again down 22-20, but Gustavus closed out the set with a 3-1 run to take it 25-21 and tie the match up at 1-1.
In the third set, a five-point run put the Gusties up 5-2 early. Gustavus led 17-14 later in the set until a 6-0 run for the Knights gave them a 20-17 lead. The Gusties rallied, winning five of the next six points to retake the lead up 22-21, but Carleton closed out the set with a four-point run to take it 25-22 and go up 2-1 in the match.
Gustavus took an 11-7 lead in the fourth set, but the Knights used a 6-1 run to take the lead up 13-12. The Gusties won the next three points to immediately retake the lead up 15-13. Gustavus stayed out ahead of Carleton until the Knights tied the set up at 21-all. The Gusties won the next point, but the Knights took the following three to reach match point up 24-22. Gustavus battled back to tie the set up at 24-24, but Carleton won the back-to-back points to take the set 26-24 and the match 3-1.
Logan Brent led the Gusties with 21 kills for 5.25 kills per set on .264 hitting.
Sahara Morken orchestrated the offense with 31 assists and had a team-high four aces.
Ava Hahn led the defensive effort with 25 digs for 6.25 per set.
Up next for Gustavus is a return to Saint Peter for a home conference match against the Bethel University Royals on Saturday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. for their Alumni & Family Day.
