ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Catherine University volleyball team bounced back from an opening-set loss to earn a 3-1 victory over the College of St. Scholastica on Wednesday evening at the Butler Center. The Wildcats claimed the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) match up by scores of 17-25, 25-20, 25-10 and 25-18.
After dropping the opening set 25-17, St. Catherine responded with a strong offensive performance in the second. The Wildcats recorded 16 kills and a .375 hitting percentage to even the match with a 25-20 victory. With the score tied at 18, St. Kate's took control with a five-point run before closing out the set.
The Wildcats carried that momentum into the third set, putting together their strongest defensive performance of the evening. St. Catherine jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, holding the Saints to a .000 hitting percentage while committing zero attacking errors of their own. The Wildcats cruised to a 25-10 victory to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
In the fourth set, St. Catherine overcame an early 3-0 deficit before pulling ahead midway through the frame. A four-point stretch extended the Wildcats' lead to 18-14, and St. Kate's maintained control down the stretch to secure the 25-18 victory.
Marta Haugen led the Wildcats offensively with 11 kills and an impressive .455 hitting percentage. Alivia Hanover added 10 kills and four total blocks, while Quinlynn Parish, Maddie Newton, and Addison Vandereide each contributed nine kills.
Defensively, Maneeje Mostaghimi anchored the back row with a match-high 33 digs and two service aces. Newton added 19 digs and two aces, while Addison Preuss dished out 28 assists and Jalyn Wolle contributed 21.
The Wildcats travel to Winona next Friday, October 23 facing the Cardinals at 7 pm before returning home on Saturday for a 3 pm match against St. Olaf College.
