ST. PAUL, Minn. - St. Catherine University volleyball opened the home conference season Wednesday evening in front of a packed gym in their first home match since students returned to campus. The Wildcats fought a tough battle but ultimately feel to the Royals from Bethel University 3-0. The Wildcats are now 6-4 overall and 0-2 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play as the Royals advance to 12-6 overall and 2-0 MIAC. 

The extra eight matches on the Royals season showed tonight defending every chance the Wildcats took. Senior right side hitter Mackenzie Peper (Osceola, Wis.) lead for St. Kate's all night leading in kills along with senior right side Emily Carman (Maple Grove, Minn. / Osseo) and outside hitter and first-year Lauren Isaacson (Faribualt, Minn.). Isaacson's high school teammate and first-year Grace Amacher (Faribault, Minn.) continued her hot streak at libero collecting 7 digs and 3 aces. 

The Wildcats are on the road this Saturday, September 22 at Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota. That match is set to begin at 3 p.m.