MORRIS, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica volleyball team went the distance in a gritty road battle Saturday afternoon but came up just short, falling in a non-conference contest to the University of Minnesota Morris in five sets (25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 19-25, 13-15).
Despite the loss, the Saints showed resilience and tenacity, pushing the Cougars to the limit in a back-and-forth match that featured long rallies, momentum swings, and standout individual performances.
Offensive Leaders Shine
Leading the charge offensively for CSS was senior middle blocker Lindsey Baribeau (Biwabik, MN/Mesabi East HS), who tallied a team-high 13 kills while also contributing on both ends of the floor with 3 blocks and an ace. Senior middle blocker Ava Swangstue (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River HS) continued her strong season with 11 kills and 2 blocks, while sophomore outside hitter Abby Zins (Chisago Lakes, MN/Chisago Lakes High School) added 9 kills and matched Swangstue with 2 blocks of her own.
Setting the Table
Running the offense was senior setter Natalie Yackley (New Ulm, MN/New Ulm HS), who posted an impressive 41 assists on the night. She added 10 digs to secure a double-double and anchored the team with poise in tight moments. Junior libero Bryn Ziegler (Hutchinson, MN/Hutchinson HS) chipped in with 4 assists, while sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Kahl (Ridgeland, WI/Prairie Farm HS) had 2 assists and an ace.
Defensive Grit
Defensively, Ziegler was all over the court, leading the team with 21 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Cassidy Lustig (Ashland, WI/Ashland HS) recorded 14 digs, while Yackley added her 10 to help the Saints stay competitive in extended rallies. Baribeau, Kahl, and freshman outside hitter Ava Decker (Rochester, MN/Century HS) each landed a service ace.
The Match at a Glance
After trading the first two sets, the Saints took control in the third with a convincing 25-18 win, driven by clean execution and timely kills. Minnesota Morris responded in the fourth, evening the match and setting the stage for a dramatic fifth set.
In the final frame, both teams traded leads before the Cougars edged ahead late. Despite a late push from the Saints, Minnesota Morris clinched the match 15-13.
With the loss, St. Scholastica moves to 11-9 overall and remains 3-2 in league action. The Saints are back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 15 for a road contest against Bethel University in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup at 7 p.m.