ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Catherine University volleyball team fell to St. Olaf College in straight sets Saturday afternoon at Butler Center – Wildcat Gym. The Oles claimed the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) matchup by scores of 25-19, 25-20, and 25-21.
Maddie Newton and Addison Vandereide led the Wildcats (5-16, 3-5 MIAC) with eight kills apiece. Alivia Hanover and Marta Haugen each added seven kills, with Haugen contributing two service aces. Newton and Maneeje Mostaghimi led the defensive effort with eleven digs each.
St. Catherine opened the first set with a competitive start, using a three-point run highlighted by back-to-back kills from Hanover to take an 8-5 advantage. St. Olaf responded with six consecutive points to regain control at 11-8. The Wildcats cut the deficit to 16-14 later in the frame, but the Oles extended their lead and secured the opening set, 25-19.
The second set featured 11 ties and five lead changes as the Wildcats battled to maintain an advantage. St. Catherine built a 14-10 lead following consecutive kills from Vandereide and a service ace from Haugen. After St. Olaf rallied to take a 15-14 advantage, the Wildcats responded and eventually moved ahead 20-17 behind a Hanover kill. However, the Oles closed the set with eight unanswered points to claim a 25-20 victory.
In the third set, St. Catherine continued to challenge St. Olaf, rallying from a 12-8 deficit with five consecutive points to take a 13-12 lead. Vandereide recorded back-to-back kills during the run, while Haugen added another. The Oles responded with a scoring run to establish a 20-15 advantage. The Wildcats narrowed the deficit to 21-19 late in the frame, but St. Olaf held on for the 25-21 win to complete the sweep.
Addison Preuss directed the Wildcats' offense with a team-high 19 assists, while Jalyn Wolle added nine assists and seven digs. St. Catherine finished with 33 kills, four service aces, and 52 digs.
The Wildcats are at Augsburg University on Friday, October 30 followed by a 7 pm MIAC match at Carleton College on Saturday, October 31. They return to Butler Center for Senior Night on Friday, November 6 hosting Bethel University at 7 pm.
