< a restful mid-term break, the volleyball team returned to action this past Wednesday taking on 10th ranked St. Thomas in St. Paul. But the Knights’ slow starts in each set were too much to overcome as they lost in three sets 25-21, 25-19, 25-16.
In the first set, Carleton started out slow, falling behind 6-1, but then went on a streak of their own to come within one point at 8-7. But the Tommies answered back with their second run of the set to bring the score to 17-9. This deficit could not be overcome, although the Knights did close the gap considerably before dropping the set 25-21.
The second set saw the Tommies take 6-3 lead and never look back. The closest the Knights got was down two at 16-14, but St. Thomas would not allow the Knights to get closer than that and finished out the set 25-19.
Again the Knights got out to a slow start in the third set as the Tommies built a 8-0 lead, but the Knights proceeded to go on a 6-0 run of their own to close the gap. The Knights got within one point with an Erin Anderson ’12 service ace to bring the score to 10-9, but a service error on the next serve started the Tommies’ 12-5 run to finish the set and the match.
The Knights were led by senior Annie Eckhoff, who recorded ten kills and four blocks on the night as well as junior Beth Jarrett who had 29 of Carleton’s 31 assists.
The loss brings Carleton’s record to 13-8, and 3-5 in the MIAC. Next up for the Knights will be Hamline Universty today in St. Paul. Hamline is coming off of their first win in the MIAC after defeating Macalester, a team that Carleton swept in three sets last week.