<ast week the Carleton volleyball team took home two wins to improve to 13-7 (3-3 MIAC). In two consecutive games, the Knights beat both the Macalester Scots on Oct. 5 and the Hamline Pipers on Oct. 7.
In Carleton’s own West Gymnasium, the volleyball team defeated Macalester in three straight sets, holding Mac to 17 points and under during each match. The Knights began the first set with a 9-7 lead and never looked back, closing that set with a score of 25-10. Though the second set began in a tie, Jessa Youso ‘13 quickly spearheaded the Carleton attack, helping the Knights to triumph over the Scots, 25-17. In their final set, the Knights secured an early advantage, and safely held the lead to win the set, 25-13. In addition to Youso’s 7 kills, Sarah Nielsen ’13 had 8 kills, and Karen Halls ’15 achieved 6 kills in addition to hitting a team-best .667.
In addition, Alicia Flatt ’15 and Hannah Folz ’13 led the setting, with 18 and 10 assists, respectively. The game also saw the return of players Sami Kemper ’14 and Haley Woodward ’14, both of whom have been battling injuries all season. Overall, Carleton dominated Macalester, hitting .260 while Macalester hit only -.018.
In Friday’s game against the Hamline Pipers, the Knights faced more of a challenge. Captain Erin Anderson ’12 notched a kill to break the 18-18 tie and drive the Knights to a 25-22 victory. The Knights ran into a similar situation in the second set when they found themselves caught up in a 10-10 tie. The Knights went on a short run, taking a 5-0 lead before Hamline finally caught up to Carleton at 19-17. After coach Heidi Jaynes called a time-out, the Knights stepped it up, winning the next six points to take the match 25-17.
The third set was one of intense action featuring 16 ties and 7 lead changes that led to the Knights trailing 24-23. However, Youso snagged a kill to even the score, with Elissa Walter ’13 helping Carleton take the lead. Hamline again tied before Youso and Claire Willeck ‘15 notched back-to-back kills to win the match. Walter and Becca Hobbs ’14 lead the team with 12 kills.
The Knights next hosted conference co-leader Augsburg College on Wednesday (too late for this issue), and will take on the College of Saint Benedict the following Wednesday.