NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Carleton College volleyball team played its final match of the 2022, falling to crosstown rival St. Olaf College in four sets on Saturday at West Gym. Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central) and Sylvia Dixon (Fy./Vienna, Va./James Madison) led the Knights with 11 kills apiece.
 
St. Olaf (15-12, 8-3 MIAC) jumped out to a 10-4 advantage in the opening set, but Carleton (5-17, 1-10 MIAC) responded with a 9-0 run to take the 13-10 lead. That spurt was capped by consecutive kills for Jancyn Appel (Sr./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School).
 
Later with the score knotted 15-15, the Oles scored four straight points to regain a lead. The Knights clawed their way back to tie the contest at 23-23 following a double block by Candra and Appel, but St. Olaf scored the next two points to take the early lead in the match.
 
In the second set, the Oles came out with intensity, jumping out to a 6-1 lead right off the bat. Carleton chipped away at the deficit and was able to close to within 9-8. However, St. Olaf had mini runs of five and seven points to take a 21-11 lead, and the Oles soon after claimed the set 25-14.
 
In the third set, St. Olaf again shot out to an 8-2 lead, but the Knights refused to wilt and strung together a 16-8 stretch capped by a Candra ace. Later trailing 20-19, Carleton scored five consecutive points, including kills by Dixon and Appel. St. Olaf pulled to within 24-23 before the Knights closed out the set.
 
The fourth set followed a similar script with the visitors building an early 10-1 lead. The Knights closed to within 17-14 but a mini 5-1 spurt helped the Oles reestablish control as they held on to take the set, 25-18.
 
Appel was the third Knight in double figures for kills at 10. Annelise Sokolow (Jr./Draper, Utah/Juan Diego Catholic) led the team in digs, racking up 12, and Izzy Macia (Fy./Coral Gables, Fla./Divine Savior Academy) doled out 31 assists.
 
Following the match, the Knights held a special Senior Night ceremony in honor of Appel, Naiya Karl (Sr./Fargo, N.D./Fargo South), and Kailey Smith (Sr./Racine, Wis./Dunlap).