NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton volleyball team came out firing and never looked back in a 3-0 win over St. Catherine on Saturday night at West Gym.  The win stops a three-match skid and brings the win total to seven on the year (7-14, 4-6 MIAC).  
 
On an evening when the Knights honored their four seniors, Carleton came out inspired from the start.  Trailing 9-8 in the early going, the Knights used a 6-2 run to open up a three-point advantage (14-11) midway through the opening set.  The Wildcats battled back and took a 20-19 lead thanks to a 4-1 run, but back-to-back aces on short serves from Kerrigan Candra sparked the Knights to score the final six points of the opening frame and take the 25-20 win.
 
Carleton surged ahead in the opening stages of the second set, capitalizing on its momentum.  The Knights scored the first four points on the way to what would be a 13-4 start.  Aces from Isabel Macia, Megan Smith, and another pair from Kerrigan Candra teamed up with a pair of kills from Kate Wiczynski in the run.  The lead climbed to as many as 10 points (20-10) in the set, but the Wildcats would not go away quietly.  A 6-2 run late pulled the visitors within five points (24-19), but it was too little, too late in a 25-19 win for the Knights.
 
The Knights kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third set.  This time, Carleton opened the frame with five straight points thanks to a pair of aces for Macia.  The lead grew to an identical 13-4 lead before ballooning to as many 10 points with an 18-8 score.  The Wildcats came roaring back with six straight points to narrow the gap to just four (18-14) as the two teams entered the home stretch.  But it was Carleton's night to slam the door.  Leading 19-15, the Knights closed the set on a 6-2 run to secure the 25-17 and the sweep in the match.
 
Carleton used the service line to its advantage on Saturday night, registering 11 aces, compared to just three for the Wildcats.  The Knights also used their play at the net to gain a 5-1 advantage in blocks. 
 
Sylvia Dixon led the way offensively for the Maize and Blue with nine kills.  Kerrigan Candra put up a career-high five aces to go along with five digs, while Isabel Macia posted 13 assists along with six digs and three aces.  Senior Catie Marvin posted three blocks and fellow senior Annelise Sokolow tallied a match-high 23 digs.   
 
Up Next for the Knights
The Knights will close out the season Friday night when they travel to Moorhead to take on Concordia.  The season finale is set to for a 7:00pm start.