ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus College volleyball team took on the College of Saint Benedict Bennies in their first MIAC match of the season on Friday night. The Gusties fell behind 2-0 in the match but then battled back to win a reverse sweep win over the Bennies, capped off by a 19-17 fifth-set victory after fending off three consecutive Saint Ben's match points. With the win, Gustavus moves to 8-4 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
The fist half of the opening set was closely contested as the two teams reached a 13-13 tie. At that point, the Bennies gained the momentum and won 12 of the final 14 points with an eight-point streak in the middle, taking the opening set 25-15 to go up 1-0.
Saint Ben's started the second set strong, going up 8-3 early. Gustavus battled back with an 8-3 run to tie the match up at 11-11. Later tied at 13-all, CSB went on an 8-1 run to take a 21-14 lead. The Bennies reached set point up 24-19 and, though the Gusties won two more points, closed out the set 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
With their backs to the wall, the Gusties got to work. Gustavus opened the third set with a 6-2 run to take an early lead. Saint Ben's battled back and tied the set up at 15-all, but then a 5-1 run for the Gusties gave them a 20-16 lead. The Bennies cut Gustavus' lead down to two points at 21-19, but the Gusties closed out the set with a 4-0 run to take it 25-19 and cut Saint Ben's match lead down to 2-1.
The fourth set saw the two teams battle closely, reaching a 9-8 lead for the Bennies. Gustavus then caught fire and took the next seven points to go up 15-9. The Gusties still led by six points later in the set up 21-15, but Saint Ben's started to climb back in it. Gustavus reached set point up 24-20 over the Bennies, but Saint Ben's won three more points to make it close before the Gusties closed the door on a 25-13 set win to tie the match up at 2-2.
In the fifth, Gustavus leapt out to a 4-1 lead. The Gusties took an 8-4 lead, but then the Bennies went on a 5-0 run to take a 9-8 lead. Gustavus retook the lead, but then Saint Ben's went back up 12-11. The Gusties battled back with a three-point run to reach match point up 14-12, but the Bennies fought off two match points and took a 15-14 lead. Saint Ben's had back-to-back-to-back match points, but the Gusties fought them off back-to-back-to-back and won three points in a row to take the set 19-17 to complete the reverse sweep victory.
Logan Brent led Gustavus with 20 kills on .234 hitting.
Greta Tompkins followed with 16 kills on .278 hitting with three blocks.
Sahara Morken orchestrated the offense with 46 assists.
Ava Hahn had 24 digs to lead defense.
Up next for the Gusties is their first match of the season in their hometown. Gustavus takes on the St. Catherine Wildcats on Saturday, September 26 at 5:00 p.m. at Saint Peter High School.
