SUPERIOR, Wis. – The St. Catherine University volleyball team picked up a thrilling 3-2 win on the road against the University of Wisconsin-Superior on Wednesday night. The Wildcats are now 8-7 overall and 0-5 in conference play. 

UW-Superior took an early lead in the first set over St. Kate's forcing the Wildcats to battle back from a six point deficit. Junior setter Meagan Schwarzrock (Hutchinson, Minn. / Valley City State) was able to get St. Kate's back in the set from the service line with back to back service aces to tie the match at 23-23. The lead went back and forth on each side of the net and the Wildcats taking the lead for the first time in the set at 29-28, but ultimately fell to the Yellowjackets 32-30.

The Wildcats used the momentum they found late in the first set to take a quick 4-0 lead before the Jackets picked up their first point. St. Kate's took a commanding lead with 5 straight points at 10-2. Leading the Jackets 24-12 things slowed down for St. Kate's allowing 6 points before finishing the set the victors 25-18.

The third set started out with the Jackets finding momentum and leading early. St. Kate's tied things up at 10-10 and ran away with it after tying it again at 14-14 and finishing it 25-19. It was nearly a repeat of set three as set four started with the Wildcats and Jackets trading leads before UW-Superior was able to finish the set 25-19.

The final set was another battle for the Wildcats coming from behind to take the final set 15-13 and win the match 3-2.

Leading for the Wildcats in the five set match was senior rightside hitter Mackenzie Peper (Osceola, Wis.) picking up 16 kills, junior outside hitter Emma Nelson (Byron, Minn.) with 14 kills, 2 aces, 24 digs and 4 blocks. 

First-year Grace Amacher (Faribault, Minn.) picked up a new career best with 37 digs while junior defensive specialist Larissa Kisch (Oakdale, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall) had 25 digs in the five set match in addition to her 3 service aces. 

Also leading at the net was sophomore middle hitter Erin Cutts (Osceola, Wis.) with 8 blocks and 9 kills; and sophomore middle hitter Erin Tebben (New London, Minn. / New London-Spicer) had 11 kills and 3 blocks. 

The Wildcats return home on Saturday, October 6 for "Wash-Out Cancer" Day in support of breast cancer awareness. The St. Catherine University Wildcat athletic department will be hosting three on campus events Saturday starting with Cross Country at 11:00 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. soccer game and closing out the day with volleyball at 3 p.m. Each team will be collecting donations to bring to the American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge. A list of donations Hope Lodge is in need of can be found here: Hope Lodge Wish List.