University of West Alabama

Though the St. Catherine University volleyball team didn't exactly get the outcomes it hoped for to open the 2013 season, several players stepped up with huge performances to highlight the weekend at the Saint Mary's University Sugarloaf Classic in Winona, Minn. But no one had a better weekend than junior setter Karsee Knutson (New London, Minn.) who was named to the All-Tournament Team – earning her the first Wildcat Athlete of the Week honor. 

Knutson had a career weekend for the Wildcats as she posted a career-best 22 assists to open the season in a tough 3-1 loss to Lakeland College. Following that performance, she led the Wildcats into a five-set thriller with UW-Stout. Though the Wildcats couldn't manage a win, she topped her assist tally from earlier in the day by recording a new career-best 24 assists in the 3-2 loss to the Blue Devils. She also finished day one of the tournament with 20 digs and four service aces. 

The Wildcats rebounded on day two with an exciting 3-2 victory over Luther College thanks in large part to Knutson. Heading into the third set down 2-0, the Wildcats rebounded for three-straight set wins when Knutson entered the match. She recorded 17 assists and three service aces during that time to lead the Wildcats to victory. She then added 12 assists to her total in a 3-0 loss to a talented Domincan Unviersity (Ill.) squad. The junior earned her first career all-tournament team honors of her career for her outstanding weekend. 

Knutson and the Wildcats return to action Tuesday evening against North Central University at 7 p.m. in Minneapolis.