NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Carleton College volleyball team opened MIAC play on the road Wednesday night but fell to crosstown rival St. Olaf at Skoglund Athletic Center.

St. Olaf ripped off the first nine points of the opening set before Carleton got on the board with an ace from senior Sylvia Dixon. The Knights collected kills from junior Rachel Bingham and first-year Ella Goolsby later in the frame, but the Oles' high-percentage hitting (.419) carried them to a 25–12 win.

Carleton kept it close early in the second, as junior Kate Wiczynski and first-year Sami Torresin delivered kills to tie the score at 3–3. Later in the set, a service ace from junior Jennifer Bricker helped the Knights stay within striking distance (16-10) before St. Olaf went on to score nine of the final 11 points of the set to close it out 25–12.

The Oles used another hot start to open the third, jumping out to a quick 14-2 lead before the Knights put together their best offensive stretch of the night, hitting .147 with eight kills in the frame. Bingham and Bricker each landed key attacks during a five-point run that cut the deficit to 17–13, but St. Olaf responded with an 8–0 finish to seal the sweep.

Carleton finished with 22 kills, 18 assists, four total blocks and 36 digs, but hit just .089.  The Oles hit .364 and had 10 service aces.  Megan Smith led the way with 10 digs and six assists, while Rachel Bingham had five kills and Kate Wiczynski added four kills. Senior setter Isabel Macia chipped in six assists and Bricker tallied two block assists and a service ace.

Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will get right back to work, as the Knights host Saint Mary's on Friday night at West Gym.  That match is set for a 7pm start.