NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Carleton volleyball team finished off its home triangular with a split on Saturday afternoon at West Gym.  The Knights came away with a hard-fought 3-1 loss to Macalester College and a dramatic 3-1 win over Luther College to end the day. 
 
Match 1 - Carleton 1, Macalester 3
 
In the first match of the day, Carleton fell to the Macalester in four sets, losing the first two, but coming back to take the third to make things interesting. However, Macalester came back strong in the fourth to take the win 3-1.
 
In the first set, Macalester came out flying and won the first four points, but a kill from Jancyn Appel (Sr./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) put Carleton on the board. From there, the Knights hung in there, trading points with the opposition. A kill from Isabel Macia (Fy./Coral Gables, Fla./Divine Savior Academy) put them within two points (12-10). Macalester then three straight points that gave them a 15-10 advantage, but Carleton fought its way back yet again. Another kill from Appel put the Blue and Gold within one (15-14). The set continued with the two squads battling back and forth, but Macalester managed to squeak ahead to ultimately take the set 25-23.
 
The second set opened up with more back and forth to pick up where the first left off. The teams remained close until the middle of the set. Leading 14-12, the Scots scored four straight points, a run that boosted them to an 18-12 lead. The Knights couldn't quite catch up, and Macalester was able to take the set 25-16. 
 
In the third set, Carleton found some momentum. After even play through the opening points of the frame, a service ace from Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central), followed by a kill from Sylvia Dixon (Fy./Vienna, Va./James Madison) put the Knights ahead 16-14. Carleton maintained its slight lead, but two consecutive kills from Annelise Sokolow (Jr./Draper, Utah/Juan Diego Catholic) gave the Knights a four-point lead (20-16). They continued to put on the pressure and grabbed the set 25-23. 
 
The fourth set saw Macalester come out with intensity. Tied at four, the Scots went on a 7-1 run that gave them an 11-5 lead. From there, the Knights couldn't seem to get a handle on the set, and found themselves down 20-8 late. Macalester didn't relent, and was able to finish the set 25-11, and take the match 3-1. 
 
The Knights were led by Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central), who collected a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs. Annelise Sokolow (Jr./Draper, Utah/Juan Diego Catholic) nearly did the same, tallying 9 kills and 13 digs. Kailey Smith (Sr./Racine, Wis./Dunlap) registered a team-high 16 digs, while Isabel Macia (Fy./Coral Gables, Fla./Divine Savior Academy) dished out 30 assists.
 
Match 2 - Carleton 3, Luther 1
 
In their second and final match of the day, the Knights triumphed over the Luther Norse in four sets. They took the first two, and despite faltering in the third set, found victory in the fourth to end the match with a favorable result. 
 
The first set saw each team taking its turn leading in the early going until the score was tied at 11 midway through the opening frame. The pattern continued until the two teams were later tied at 20 points apiece when the Knights dug deep. A kill from Sokolow, followed by a service ace from Candra made it 22-20. Another kill from Sokolow put them up 24-21, but the Norse fought back to pull within two (24-22), prompting a Carleton timeout. Following the break, the Knights wasted no time, finishing off the set with a great kill from Appel to take it 25-22. 
 
In the second, the Knights picked up right where they left off. They quickly jumped out to a 10-5 lead on a great kill from Candra. From there, they maintained a lead, and despite a comeback bid from the Norse late in the set, Carleton was able to finish it off 25-23 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
However, the Norse wouldn't make it easy on the Knights. The competition was stiff throughout the set, and with a 19-16 lead late, Carleton looked like it would finish off the set strong. But a run from the Norse tied things up at 21, where they took the lead. Despite a fight from Carleton, the opposition took the set 26-24.
 
The Knights regained their footing in the fourth set. Following a tie at 10, a kill from Candra gave Carleton a 14-11 lead. Then an error on the other side made it 15-11. From there, the Knights maintained control, and were able to finish off the set strong 25-19, taking the match 3-1. 
 
The Knights were led by another great performance from Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central), who racked up her fourth double-double in the last five matches and seventh of the season with 19 kills and 10 digs. The 19 kills finished just one shy of her career-high 20.  Jancyn Appel (Sr./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) racked up 12 kills of her own to go along with three blocks, and Ella Curtis-Revelle (Fy./Denver, Colo./North) tallied a match-high 17 digs. Isabel Macia (Fy./Coral Gables, Fla./Divine Savior Academy) continued to pace the offense with 48 assists, three shy of her career-high 51.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton has nearly a week break before taking on Bethel University coming up on Friday, Oct. 7th in St. Paul, followed by another road match against Saint Mary's University in Winona on Saturday, Oct. 8th.