ST. PAUL, MINN. – Saturday is a big day on the St. Catherine University campus. Not only is it homecoming, but St. Kate's volleyball and soccer teams host two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in a big doubleheader. First, soccer hosts Bethel University at 1 p.m. on St. Kate's Field before volleyball takes on Saint Mary's at 3 p.m. in the
Butler Center Gym.
Both the soccer and volleyball team are looking for its first conference win of the season after multiple hard fought games against conference opponents. The Wildcats volleyball team is currently 0-2 in MIAC play after two hard fought losses to the College of Saint Benedict and Bethel University. St. Kate's soccer is 0-1-1, with a loss to Augsburg and a tie with Macalester on its resume.
Kick off between the Wildcats and Royals is scheduled for 1 p.m. at St. Kate's field before volleyball faces Saint Mary's at 3 p.m.
Live stats will be available for both games, and fans will be able to watch both
soccer and
volleyball online as well.
Here are the five facts to know before this weekend's MIAC doubleheader:
22 – The Wildcats tallied 22 shots in their 0-0 draw with Macalester last Saturday, including a season high 11 shots in the second half of the double overtime game. Of those 22 shots, St. Kate's shot seven of them on goal, four of which were by sophomore forward
Allie Bird (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove).
6 – Sophomore setter
Meagan Schwarzrock (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) ranks in the top-15 in the MIAC in three different categories, including service aces, assists and assists per set average. In fact, Schwarzrock is No. 8 in the MIAC in overall service aces (18) and her four against conference opponents is tied for third. She also ranks 11
th in assists (226) and assists per set average (4.81).
14 – St. Kate's goalkeeper
Jessica Perez-Adame (San Jacinto, Calif. / San Jacinto) has made 14 saves this season, including three against Macalester on Saturday. The senior has played 296:58 and has surrendered just five goals in that time.
118 – Junior right side hitter
Mackenzie Peper (Osceola, Wis. / Osceola) leads the team in four offensive categories, including kills (118). Through the first three weeks of the season, Peper is off to the hottest start in her career, leading the Wildcats in kills per set average (2.41) and hitting percentage (.250).
16.0 – The Wildcats average 16.0 shots against MIAC opponents this season, the fourth highest average in the conference. On the flip side, Bethel averages just 10 shots a game with a .250 shot on goal percentage.