NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Abby Loe (Jr./Apple Valley, Minn./Apple Valley) matched her season-high with 15 kills, but the Carleton College volleyball team dropped a three-set match (25-19, 27-25, 25-20) to Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday evening at West Gym.
 
Gustavus (11-12, 4-2 MIAC) edged the Knights with a .195 hitting percentage compared to .137 for the Knights. Carleton recorded four total team blocks compared to two for Gustavus, while the Gusties claimed a 7-3 advantage in service aces.
 
In the opening set, Carleton rallied after an early deficit to pull within a point at 19-18 following a block by Grace Leuchtenberger (Jr./Newton, Mass./Newton South) and Naiya Karl (Fy./Fargo, N.D./South). The Knights would get no closer, however, as Gustavus won six out of the following seven points to earn a 25-19 win and the early match lead.
 
Set two featured plenty of back and forth action between the two sides as there were 15 ties and six lead changes. A kill by Loe, followed by another block from Leuchtenberger and Karl gave the Knights a 20-17 lead and forced a Gustie timeout. Gustavus responded with a mini-run of their own but had a set point foiled by a Loe kill to tie the score at 25-25. Gustavus won the next two points to earn a 27-25 win and grab a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Carleton (5-15, 1-5 MIAC) battled throughout the third set, but a late comeback fell short as Gustavus went on to win the third set 25-20 to secure the match victory.
 
Leuchtenberger chipped in with six kills and two blocks, while Jancyn Appel (Fy./Kansas City, Mo./Pembroke Hill) and Grace de Benedetti (So./San Francisco, Calif./San Francisco University) added four kills each.
 
Inger Shelton (So./San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) led the Knights with 24 assists and a team-high nine digs.
 
Kate Holtan led the Gusties with 13 kills.
 
The Knights have a quick turnaround, as they host Buena Vista on Friday at 7 p.m. in West Gym.  Live video and live stats will be available via athletics.carleton.edu.