After going 0-2 on the opening day of the Saint Mary's University Sugarloaf Classic Friday, the Wildcat volleyball team responded with a huge opening match as they defeated Luther College 3-2 before falling 3-0 to a tough Dominican University (Ill.) squad Saturday in Winona, Minn.

"We played really well today ans showed great improvement in just two days," said Head Coach Corey Phelps. "We saw great things from a number of players. 

After a huge day to open her collegiate career Friday, Abigail Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) proved she is going to be a leader for the wildcats as she posted her third-straight double-double performance with 10 kills and 18 digs against Luther. 

Fellow first-year Shelby Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn.) also came up big again in the Wildcat victory as she tallied her first collegiate double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs. Junior Zoe Peterson (Rosemount, Minn.) led the way for the Wildcats offensively with 12 kills against the Norse. 

Junior setter Ashley Kahlow (LeSueur, Minn.) dished out 20 assists in the win, while Karsee Knutson (New London, Minn.) had another stellar performance with 17 assists. Knutson was also named to the All-Tournament Team for her strong all-around performance throughout the weekend. 

"(Knutson) only played three of the five sets against Luther," said Phelps, " and she was instrumental in the turnaround."

On the day, first-year libero Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn.) led the Wildcats defensively with a total of 34 digs, including 19 in the Wildcat loss to the Stars in match two of the day. 

In match two, Jordyn Wentland (Blaine, Minn.) tallied 13 assists while slitting setting duties with Knutson who recorded 12. 

The Wildcats return to action Tuesday against North Central University at 7 p.m. in Minneapolis. 

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