Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The St. Catherine University volleyball team was hungry to kick off the 2014 season in a positive way after bringing in a wealth of talent to add to an experienced lineup of returners. They were able to do that as they cruised to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-15) win over North Park University in the opener before battling back for a 3-1 (17-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17) victory over the University of Dubuque Friday at the Saint Mary's University Sugar Loaf Classic in Winona, Minnesota.

"Today was a very good start to the season for us," said Head Coach Corey Phelps. "Our middles were great today. Behind confident serving and setters who are leading the team, we are playing at a high level. We're looking forward to what tomorrow brings as Illinois Wesleyan University and Wartburg College will be good challenges."

Phelps' middle blockers stepped up to lead the Wildcats in both matches with Amber Zeiher (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) recording a team-best 10 kills and three aces in the win over North Park and Alyssa Besch (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) tallying 14 in the second victory against Dubuque. Besch finished the day with a team best 21 kills and also record seven digs and a service ace. Her 14 kills was also a career-high for the junior middle blocker. Zoe Barr (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) made her return to the Wildcat lineup by recording 15 kills and two total blocks.

The strong setting duo of,Karsee Knutson (New London, Minn./New London-Spicer) and Ashley Kahlow (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) came up big for the Wildcats as Knutson picked up 19 assists in both matches, while Kahlow recorded 24 between the two wins. Knutson contributed two aces to the team's total as well as 12 digs to the defensive effort. Kahlow led the team in serving with four aces in the win over Dubuque.

Abigail Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes) was strong both offensively and defensively for the Wildcats with nine kills, two aces and 28 digs between the two matches.,Shelby Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn./Maple Lake) chipped in 24 digs and two aces to help the Wildcats defnisively, while Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson) led the team with 29 digs between the two matches..

Megan Lindenfelser (Nowthen, Minn./Anoka) made her collegiate debut in the second match of the day. In three sets played, the first-year recorded eight kills and five digs to contribute to the team's solid day.

The Wildcats will return to action for day two of tournament action Saturday against Illinois Wesleyan at 10 a.m. and Wartburg at 2 p.m.

Wildcat Volleyball on Facebook,
Wildcats on Twitter
Wildcats on Facebook