St. Scholastica, 3
Minnesota, Morris, 2 (25, 25, 16, 23, 13)
In Duluth on Thursday night, the Cougar volleyball team dropped a tough conference match to the College of St. Scholastica in five sets: 25, 18,25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 13-15.
The Cougars took the first two sets handily before Scholastica changed to a 5-1 formation, which seemed to work better for their play.
"When they did that, it's not like we started playing worse. They just gained some confidence and played better," said head coach Chad Braegelmann.
The fourth set was literal nip and tuck as neither team opened a lead larger than two points. At 24-22, first year Justine Banken killed a points to draw within one, but the Saints closed out the set on the next serve.
The fifth set was more of the same. The Cougars and Saints exchanged rally points into the teens. The Saints pulled ahead on a couple of balls that fell between Cougar players, negating their ability to form a strong return. The Saints closed out at 15-13.
"For the match, they scored only one more point than us. It was as evenly matched as it gets. We'll get to play them again," said Braegelmann.
Offensively, the Cougars had five hitters in double-digits on the night, pleasing Braegelmann.
"I don't think that's happened before in my time here," he said.
The Cougars travel into the Upper Penninsula of Michigan this afternoon for a junior varsity match against Gogebic Community College, and then backtrack to Ashland, Wis. for an evening match against Northland College.
Box Score
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Allie Humphrey (14), Justine Banken (14), Stephanie Schmiesing (13), Jordan Olerud (11)
Assists: Natalie Thomas (33), Sam Pfannenstein (24)
Digs: Jordan Olerud (21), Lindsay Jacobson (18), Colleen Hermes (14)
