ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University volleyball team closed out the 2022 regular season with a 3-0 sweep of the Macalester College Scots on the road. The win is the team's fifth in a row extending the season record to 17-7. The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) win improves the team to 8-3 overall, which is the most conference wins in program history helping the team earn the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
"Tonight was a great way to finish the regular season", commented head coach
Todd Nelson. "Macalester had a great crowd and it was a fun environment in which to compete. I was proud of the team for staying steady and playing a complete match. We are excited to play on Tuesday and begin our post-season journey."
Junior
Maggie Rosen led St. Kate's with a match-best 13 kills and one block. First-year
Madison Fagan hit an impressive .500 with seven hills and two blocks.
Claire Segner recorded 16 digs with one ace and four assists while senior
Marissa Gilbertson added 20 assists to move into third all-time with 1,607 career assists. Gilbertson also added 13 digs in the three set match reaching the 500 career digs milestone with 511.
The Wildcats rallied back in the first set after trailing the Scots until the knotting it at 13-13. After taking the lead, St. Kate's only allowed the Scots to add five more points to claim the set 25-18.
St. Kate's got out to an early lead in set two up 5-0 and then 7-2. Macalester tried to inch back getting within three but never able to overcome the advantage St. Kate's built right away. The Wildcats went on to win set two 25-19.
The third and final set was a battle at the end as the Scots went on a seven point run taking the lead at 12-11. The set was tied seven more times after a kill from senior
Lauren Skar tied it at 12-12 ending 25-21 in favor of the Wildcats.
Next up for the St. Kate's is the first round of the MIAC playoffs hosting Augsburg University at 7 pm on Tuesday, November 1. The winner of that game will travel to St. Olaf College on Thursday, November 3 for a 7 pm match against the No. 2 seeded Oles.
