With just two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) matches left on the schedule, St. Catherine University Head Volleyball Coach wanted his squad to have momentum and confidence from its appearance at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dig Panici Classic. After dropping two tough matches Friday, the Wildcats gained just the momentum Phelps was hoping for in winning 3-2 (28-30, 25-13, 25-15, 13-25, 15-13) over St. Norbert College before taking down a talented Wartburg College 3-2 (28-26, 25-21, 16-25, 20-25, 15-12) Saturday in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
"We really needed momentum to head into our final two MIAC matches this coming week," said Phelps. "Everyone played against St. Norbert, and to come up with the win was huge for us."
In the opener against St. Norbert, the Wildcats lost the opening set after holding set point at 24-19, but stormed out to two strong set wins in two and three. The Green Knights weren't ready to give up and went on an early run to hold off the Wildcats and force a decisive fifth set. The final set was close all the way through until the Wildcats eventually closed out the win.
Megan Lindenfelser (Nowthen, Minn./Anoka) was spectacular recording 13 kills and only one error in just three sets played. She completed her double-double with a team-high 17 digs.
Alyssa Besch (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) also added solid offense with 11 kills while helping on five of the Wildcats' 10 blocks.
Amber Zeiher (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) and
Abby Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes) each tallied eight kills. Zeiher contributed on five blocks, while Palmer helped on three and matched Lindenfelser's 17 digs.
Emily Neumann (Duluth, Minn./Hermantown) recorded her first collegiate double-double with a team-high 23 assists and helping defensively with 10 digs and collecting a team-best two service aces.
"In the Wartburg match, I just wanted the team to compete well," said Phelps, " but we really took it to them. I am impressed with how the team rebounded after being swept by Wartburg just a week ago. To turn around and beat them, I couldn't be happier with that win."
The Wildcats roared out to a 2-0 lead after taking the first set in extra points and holding off their opponent in the second. The Knights – who were again receiving votes in the national poll – managed to climb back into the match in the third and fourth sets to force a fifth. Fortunately, the Wildcats were able to outplay the Knights and hold on for an undefeated Saturday.
Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson) led a spectacular defensive effort with a career- and match-high 40 digs to help in the win and earn a spot on the all-tournament team. Lindenfelser and Palmer were again critical for the Wildcats with 18 and 14 digs, respectively, while
Maria Davis (West St. Paul, Minn./St. Agnes) had 11 in addition to her team-high 20 assists.
Johna Radke (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) and
Hayley Levenhagen (Pewaukee, Wis./Catholic Memorial) each had 11 and 10 assists, respectively.
Besch was again solid for the Wildcats with a match-high 17 kills and a .353 hitting percentage. She also added three block assists to the Wildcats' total of eight.
Sabrina Astar (Hastings, Minn./Hastings) helped in both categories with 12 kills and a team-best five block assists. Zeiher helped with six kills and five block assists.
"The team is really excited after today," said Phelps. "We definitely found the confidence we needed heading into our next two MIAC matches and we're excited for them"
With the wins, the Wildcats improve to 17-12 on the season. They return to tournament action on their home court against St. Olaf College Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match.
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