ST. PAUL, Minn. — The St. Catherine University volleyball team closed out its weekend at the Butler Center on Saturday afternoon, falling to Juniata College in three sets, 25-22, 25-13, 25-20.
The Wildcats battled the Eagles throughout a tightly contested opening set. St. Catherine held leads throughout the first half of the frame and went in front 17-15 following back-to-back kills from Alivia Hanover. Juniata eventually pulled ahead, but the Wildcats stayed within striking distance, closing the gap to 23-22 on a kill from Addison Vandereide before the Eagles secured the final two points for a 25-22 win.
Juniata took control early in the second set, using an extended run to build a double-digit advantage. St. Catherine responded with a late push that included kills from Vandereide, Hanover and Marta Haugen, but the Eagles took the frame 25-13.
The Wildcats came out strong in the third, jumping ahead 8-4 behind kills from Haugen, Maddie Newton and Emma Nordeen along with a service ace from Josie Popp. St. Catherine remained in front 19-17 following a Vandereide kill before Juniata closed the match with an 8-1 run to claim the set 25-20.
Newton, Haugen and Vandereide shared the team lead with seven kills apiece. Newton added a strong all-around performance with 15 digs and two service aces while hitting .273. Hanover contributed five kills, while Nordeen finished with two kills and a team-high two block assists.
Maneeje Mostaghimi paced the Wildcat defense with 16 digs, while Newton followed with 15 and Grace Nelson added eight. Addison Preuss handed out a team-best 14 assists and Jalyn Wolle added 10.
St. Catherine finished the match with 31 kills, 27 assists, 59 digs, three service aces and three total blocks.
St. Kate's opens conference play on Friday, September 25 against the Cobbers from Concordia at 7 pm.
