Milwaukee, Wis. - The Carleton volleyball team lost in their opening match of the day to Nebraska Wesleyan University, but took home a huge win against Mount Mary University in a three-set sweep in Saturday's closing day of the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational.
Match 1 - Carleton 0, Nebraska Wesleyan 3
In the first match of the day, Carleton fell to Nebraska Wesleyan University in three sets, despite a tough battle. The Prairie Wolves came out strong, going up 6-0 right away, prompting the first timeout from the Knights. A kill from
Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central) got the Blue and Gold on the board, but they continued to trail throughout the set. Still behind 16-8, the Knights took a second timeout, after which a brief run brought them closer to the opposition (18-12). But the Knights couldn't quite get their footing and fell 25-15 in this opening set.
In the second set, Carleton came out with a boost in energy, and proved it wouldn't make it easy on Nebraska Wesleyan. Trailing 5-3, a strong kill from
Sylvia Dixon (Fy./Vienna, Va./James Madison) followed by a great block from
Jancyn Appel (Sr./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) tied it all up at five. The teams traded points until the Prairie Wolves pulled ahead 10-7. Yet again, Carleton was right on their heels. A three-point run brought the Knights right back in it, making it a tie game at ten. This, however, prompted a 7-1 run for Nebraska Wesleyan, who went up 17-11. The Knights couldn't quite catch up, falling 25-17.
The third set saw another early lead from Nebraska Wesleyan, who went up 7-1 off the bat. The Knights remained behind, but dug deep late in the set. Trailing 17-13, they took a timeout and returned with energy. A quick kill from Appel followed by a block made it 17-15 in favor of the opposition. A kill from Dixon got the Knights within a point (19-18), which prompted a timeout by the other side. The Knights tied the game at nineteen, and then went ahead by a point (20-19), but the Prairie Wolves scored six straight points that would win them the set (25-20) and the match in three sets.
Jancyn Appel (Sr./Kansas City, Mo./The Pembroke Hill School) led the team in kills (10), followed by
Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central) with 7 kills and an impressive 19 digs.
Match 2 - Carleton 3, Mount Mary 0
The second match of the day produced a big win for the Knights, who beat Mount Mary University in a three-set sweep to finish off the weekend.
The Blue Angels didn't make it easy on them in the first set. Carleton found itself up early 3-0, but Mount Mary went on a run that pushed past them to a lead of 10-5. They remained ahead until Carleton went on a run that brought the Knights within one (15-14). The two teams were neck and neck until the Knights tied it at 18 apiece. Then a kill by Appel put them ahead 19-18, and another kill from Candra put them ahead 20-18, prompting a timeout on the other side. From there, Carleton had control, pushing through to take the set 25-23.
In the second set, the Knights found an early lead yet again with a service ace from
Isabel Macia (Fy./Coral Gables, Fla./Divine Savior Academy) that put them up 3-0. Mount Mary remained hot in pursuit, but Carleton held onto its lead. A run in the middle of the set put Carleton up 17-11, and the Blue Angels did battle back, making it only 17-15 for the Knights. But the Blue and Gold remained in control, and finished off the set 25-20.
With significant energy headed into the third set, Carleton got off to a strong lead, going up 9-4 and not looking back. A kill from Candra and another service ace from Macia made the score 16-9, and a good run propelled them to a 22-13 lead. From there the team hung on and a great kill from Appel took the set (25-15) and won the match in straight sets.
Standouts in the second match included
Kerrigan Candra (So./Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central) who led with 14 kills, as well as
Sylvia Dixon (Fy./Vienna, Va./James Madison) who had an impressive seven kills as well as 13 digs.
Upcoming for the Knights
The Knights head home to face Crown College this Wednesday the 28th, and then go on the road again to take on Gustavus this Friday the 30th.
