NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Wildcat volleyball team defeated the Carleton College Knights in straight sets on Wednesday evening in Northfield for their first Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) victory this season. St. Kate's took the first set from the Knights, 25-19 hitting .308 as a team. In the second set, the Wildcats topped Carleton 25-23 and finished the match with a final set score of 25-17. 

Senior Emma Nelson highlighted the conference match recording her 11th kills-digs double-double this season. Nelson led the team with 13 kills and 12 digs while also posting two aces and two blocks. Nelson is first on the team this season with 200 kills, averaging 2.82 per set. Nelson is also trailing sophomore defensive specialist Grace Amacher  by just two digs this season. Amacher has a total of 303 digs averaging 4.21 per set and No. 5 in the MIAC, while Nelson has 301 and averages 4.24 per set. 

Junior middle hitter, Erin Cutts also played a critical role in the win tallying nine kills, five blocks, three digs and one ace. Cutts hit an impressive .500 in the match along with fellow junior middle hitter Erin Tebben.  Tebben  and sophomore Bryana Leverentz had six kills and two blocks a piece against the Knights 

Sophomore Lauren Isaacson contributed eight kills and ten digs for the Wildcats in the conference win while also adding one service ace to team's six total. 

After coming up short in three five-set battles and another four-set heartbreaker to open the conference season, head coach Todd Nelson said following the victory, "I am so happy for our team. They have been playing well and competing hard but didn't have a MIAC win to show for those efforts. We played a complete match tonight and I am glad to see them earn this win."

Nelson and the Wildcats are back in St. Paul this Saturday, October 12 as they host MIAC foe the University of St. Thomas at 3 pm for Alumnae Day.