Notables
-CSS was originally scheduled to face UW-Superior in tonight's semifinal
-Remer records 400th career kill
-The Saints allowed a season-high 11 service aces
-CSS had season-lows in kills (30) and digs (32)
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – Five days since defeating the University of Minnesota Morris in four sets at the Reif Gymnasium, the St. Scholastica volleyball team had its spring season come to an end with a three-set loss to the Cougars Thursday night in an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament semifinal match.
Why Morris Again
The Saints claimed the No. 2 seed for the UMAC Tournament and were slated to face the University of Wisconsin-Superior, who was the No. 3 seed. However, COVID-19 protocols forced the Yellowjackets to withdraw from the tournament on Tuesday and the conference responded by adjusting the format, giving regular season champion University of Northwestern (Minn.) the bye into the championship. The Saints would now host the No. 4 seed Minnesota Morris with the winner to face Northwestern on Saturday.
How it Happened
The Cougars (6-4) jumped out quick on the Saints, recording the first six points. Morris led by as much as 14-4 in the opening set and eventually took it 25-18.
Senior
Kelsi Rippberger (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) gave the Saints an 8-7 lead in the second set with a service ace. Unfortunately, the Cougars recorded 15 of the final 19 points of the set to take a commanding two-set lead with the 25-14 set win.
CSS looked to stay alive, leading 6-2 in the third set. However, Morris hung around and went on a 5-0 run to take its first lead of the set at 16-15. A
Madissen Burns (Watertown, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS) kill made it 19-18 Cougars, but Morris did not allow the Saints to breathe any life, recording six of the final eight points to take the set and the match 25-20.
Top Performers
Jessica Remer (Grand Forks, N.D./Sacred Heart HS) was the only Saint in double-figures in kills with 13.
Katie Brostrom (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS) had 24 assists and
Alcia Draper (Williams, Minn./Lake of the Woods HS) finished with 10 digs.
End of Season
The Saints complete the spring season with a 7-2 record and will now look forward to moving into the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) next fall. CSS expects to lose just one senior in
Kelsi Rippberger (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS).
For future news on the St. Scholastica volleyball program, keep checking csssaints.com.
