Box Score

De Pierre, Wis. – The St. Scholastica volleyball team showed grit and determination in De Pere, Wisconsin, pushing St. Norbert to the limit in a competitive four-set battle at the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center. Despite falling 3–1 (25-27, 28-30, 25-20, 19-25), the Saints had stretches of dominance and plenty of bright spots to carry forward.

How it Happened

Set One
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair as the Saints settled in against the Green Knights. Natalie Yackley (New Ulm, MN/New Ulm HS) directed the offense with precision, setting up kills from Lindsey Baribeau (Biwabik, MN/Mesabi East HS) and Ava Swangstue (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River HS) to keep CSS within striking distance. Key defensive efforts from libero Lauren Kahl (Ridgeland, WI/Prairie Farm HS) helped the Saints dig in, but the set slipped away narrowly, 27–25.

Set Two
Momentum swung wildly in the second frame, with the Saints delivering clutch plays in a set that went well beyond 25 points. Cassidy Lustig (Ashland, WI/Ashland HS) and Mikala Peterson (Mora, MN/Mora HS) provided the firepower up front, while Yackley boosted her assist numbers. A service ace from Lustig and big swings from Bryn Ziegler (Hutchinson, MN/Hutchinson HS) and Abby Zins (Chisago Lakes, MN/Chisago Lakes High School) fueled a late push, but the Green Knights barely escaped with a 30–28 win.

Set Three
The Saints showed their resilience by roaring back in the third set. Strong hitting efficiency (.273) told the story, as the Saints cleaned up errors and controlled the pace. Peterson and Zins combined for key blocks, while Lustig and Swangstue hammered home kills that energized the bench. The Saints pulled away late, sealing the 25–20 victory, avoiding the sweep and making the match difficult for the Green Knights.

Set Four
In the fourth, the Saints once again matched the Green Knights point-for-point. Freshman energy from Ava Decker (Rochester, MN/Century HS) and steady back-row play from Kahl gave CSS second chances throughout the rally-heavy set. Though Saint Norbert managed to close out the frame 25–19, the Saints showed their fight to the final point.

By the Numbers

• Kills: Cassidy Lustig (Ashland, WI/Ashland HS) (14), Mikala Peterson (Mora, MN/Mora HS) (12), Abby Zins (Chisago Lakes, MN/Chisago Lakes High School) (11), Lindsey Baribeau (Biwabik, MN/Mesabi East HS) & Ava Swangstue (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River HS) (9 each)

• Assists: Natalie Yackley (New Ulm, MN/New Ulm HS) – 46

• Defense: Lauren Kahl (Ridgeland, WI/Prairie Farm HS) – 30 digs; Decker & Lustig – 14 digs each

• Blocks: Baribeau (7), Zins (4), Swangstue (5)

What's Next
The Saints (0-1, 0-0 MIAC) will travel to southern Minnesota to compete in the Sugar Loaf Classic in Winona, Minn, against the Knights (1-2) of Martin Luther College on September 5 at 5 p.m. Later in the evening, at 7 p.m. they will play the Norse (2-1) of Luther College. 

 

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