Box Score
Heading into a tough Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) volleyball match against the No. 7 nationally ranked St. Thomas squad, the St. Catherine University Wildcats knew the odds were against them and that they would have to give the Tommies everything they had to keep the match close.
The Wildcats did just that as they forced a close four-set match with the defending MIAC co-champions before falling 3-1 Saturday afternoon at St. Thomas.
“(We) played an incredible match,” said Head Coach
Corey Phelps, whose squad falls to 8-9 on the season and 2-3 in conference play.
“We had them on the ropes in the fourth set and couldn't close, but easily played our best volleyball to date.”
The Wildcats were able to slow down the best statistical hitting team in the MIAC (first in kills and hitting percentage) taking the third set 25-20, and forced a fourth set (19-25) after dropping the first two 15-25 and 20-25. The Wildcats had a total of eight team blocks and logged six service aces.
“Things are still coming together,” said Phelps, “but we're still hungry to improve every day. It's exciting for the team because they realized they can play with anyone.”
The Wildcats came out hungry all-around as seven different players recorded kills in the match.
Stephanie Meschke (Faribault, Minn.) and
Marie O'Neil (St. Michael, Minn.) racked up eight kills each to lead the Wildcat hitting effort. Meschke also added five digs, two service aces and two block assists, while O'Neil contributed two digs, two block assists and one ace.
Brittni Wangerin (Prior Lake, Minn.) and
Kelsey Wirtanen (Hibbing, Minn.) also helped the Wildcats offensively and defensively. Both senior hitters recorded seven kills, while Wirtanen had a team-high 21 digs and Wangerin had 10 digs, an ace and one block assist.
First-years dominated for the Wildcats at the net as
Amber Zeiher (LeSueur, Minn.) recorded a team-high six block assists and
Miranda Krenske (Faribault, Minn.) added five.
The Wildcats return to action Wednesday evening as they travel across town to Hamline for another MIAC matchup at 7 p.m.
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