RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The St. Catherine University volleyball team wrapped up a two-match Saturday in River Falls, falling to UW-Platteville in three sets before battling host UW-River Falls in a four-set decision.
The Wildcats opened the day against UW-Platteville, falling 25-12, 25-17, 26-24. St. Kate's improved throughout the match and pushed the Pioneers to the limit in the third set, coming within two points of extending the contest.
Marta Haugen led the Wildcats offensively with 10 kills while hitting .421, committing just two errors on 19 attempts. Alivia Hanover added six kills on a .333 hitting percentage and contributed two block assists. Emma Nordeen finished with three kills and two total blocks.
Addison Preuss totaled 14 assists and an ace, while Jalyn Wolle added nine assists and two service aces. Maneeje Mostaghimi led the defensive effort with nine digs and added two aces as St. Kate's finished the match with seven service aces.
St. Catherine returned to the court later in the day against UW-River Falls and came out firing, taking the opening set 25-19 behind 18 kills and a .368 team hitting percentage. The Falcons responded with a 25-14 victory in the second before the teams played a back-and-forth third set that required extra points. St. Kate's totaled 20 kills in the frame before River Falls escaped with a 30-28 win. The Falcons closed the match with a 25-18 fourth-set victory to take the match 3-1.
Maddie Newton paced the Wildcats with 16 kills while adding 19 digs and a service ace for a double-double. Hanover continued her strong day with 13 kills while hitting .321, and Addison Vandereide added 13 kills. Haugen reached double figures as well with 10 kills.
St. Kate's ran a balanced setting attack, with Wolle distributing 29 assists and Preuss adding 24. Mostaghimi anchored the back row with a match-high 27 digs, while Alexa Carlstrom contributed eight. Josie Popp recorded two of the Wildcats' five service aces.
The Wildcats finished the River Falls match with 59 kills, 57 assists and 71 digs. The contest featured 28 ties and 13 lead changes, including 14 ties and six lead changes in the tightly contested third set.
St. Catherine moves to 3-13 overall following Saturday's action. They travel to Macalester on Wednesday evening for a 7 pm match and host Saint Benedict on Saturday, October 10 for Alumnae Day.
