WINONA, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College volleyball team traveled to Winona for a conference road match at the Saint Mary's University Cardinals on Saturday afternoon. The Gusties defeated the Cardinals 3-1 to improve to 11-4 overall on the year while remaining undefeated in the MIAC through four matches.
The first half of the opening set was closely contested. The first big swing in points happened when Saint Mary's had a 16-14 lead. Gustavus then won the next six points and went on a 9-1 run to go up 23-17. The Cardinals won two more points, but the Gusties took the set 25-19 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
In the second set, the score was tied at 11-all when Gustavus used a 5-0 run that built into an 8-2 run as the Gusties took a 19-13 lead. At that point, however, Saint Mary's caught fire; winning eight in a row and then closing out the set on a 12-3 run for a 25-22 win to tie the match up at 1-1.
Gustavus turned the tide right away in the third set, dominating throughout. The Gusties led 18-8 before the Cardinals were able to string together consecutive points, winning three in a row to cut their deficit to seven points down 18-11. Gustavus then closed out the set with a 7-2 run to take it 25-13 and go up 2-1 in the match.
In the fourth set, the Gusties took an early 7-3 lead. Saint Mary's cut the lead down to two points at 10-8, but a four-point Gustavus run put them back up 14-8. The Gusties led 19-11 when a four-point Cardinal run brought them back to within four points down 19-15, but Gustavus closed out he set with a 6-1 run to take it 25-16 and the match 3-1.
Sophia Deyak led the Gusties in their win with 18 kills on .593 hitting.
Kyra Johnson followed with 14 kills on .423 hitting.
Sahara Morken set up the offensive attack with 39 assist in the match.
Ava Hahn had 13 digs to lead the defense.
Up next for Gustavus is their home opener in Lund Center set for Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. against the St. Olaf College Oles.
