ST. PETER, Minn. – The St. Catherine University volleyball team battled Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) action Saturday evening, September 26, falling 3-1 at Gus Young Court. The Wildcats claimed the second set and recorded 10 service aces in the match before the Gusties secured the victory by scores of 25-21, 17-25, 25-18 and 25-17.
The opening set featured a competitive battle between the two teams. After falling behind 16-8, the Wildcats rallied to pull within two points at 21-19. St. Kate's continued to battle, but Gustavus held on to take the opening set, 25-21.
The Wildcats responded with a strong performance in the second set, jumping out to an early 4-0 advantage. After the Gusties briefly took the lead, St. Kate's regained control behind an impressive serving stretch from Maneeje Mostaghimi, who delivered back-to-back service aces. The Wildcats closed the set on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Addison Vandereide and a set-winning service ace from Maddie Newton, to claim a 25-17 victory.
St. Kate's carried its momentum into the third set, taking an early 6-3 lead before Gustavus responded with a scoring run. The Wildcats battled to regain a 10-8 advantage, but the Gusties pulled away to take the set, 25-18. Gustavus maintained its momentum in the fourth set, securing a 25-17 victory to close out the match.
Newton led the Wildcats offensively with a team-high 11 kills while adding 10 digs and a service ace for a double-double. Marta Haugen delivered an efficient offensive performance, recording nine kills with a .286 hitting percentage and adding two block assists. Vandereide contributed seven kills, while Alivia Hanover added four kills on 10 attempts without an error for a team-best .400 hitting percentage.
Addison Preuss directed the Wildcats' offense with a team-high 17 assists while contributing 12 digs and a service ace. Lauren Dallas added 12 assists, five digs and two service aces.
Defensively, Preuss led St. Kate's with 12 digs, followed by Mostaghimi with 11 and Newton with 10. Quinlynn Parish anchored the Wildcats at the net with three block assists.
The Wildcats' serving was a highlight throughout the match, as seven players combined for 10 service aces. Mostaghimi led the effort with three aces, while Dallas and Alexa Carlstrom each recorded two.
St. Kate's is back in Butler Center Friday, October 2 hosting Hamline University at 7 pm.
