NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Carleton volleyball team fell in straight sets (20-25, 22-25, 14-25) to visiting Buena Vista University in its final non-conference match of the 2026 season on Friday evening at West Gym. With the setback, the Knights move to 13-9 overall, while the Beavers improve to 18-2 on the season.
Carleton battled through a tight opening set that featured seven ties and three lead changes. The Knights built a five-point cushion at 15-10 following a 10-3 run that featured kills from four different players and service aces from junior Ellewyn Swafford and first-year Alexis Ormsby. However, Buena Vista responded with an 8-1 run to pull ahead 18-16, and later closed out the frame by scoring six of the final eight points to claim a 25-20 victory.
The Knights produced a strong offensive display in the second frame, hitting .289 with 16 kills. Carleton wiped out an early deficit and went back-and-forth with the Beavers. Trailing 18-12, the Maize and Blue mounted a 5-1 run to narrow the margin to two points (19-17). The run was highlighted by consecutive kills from Ormsby to keep the home team within striking distance. A pair of kills from senior Rachel Bingham and a solo block by Swafford brought the Knights within one at 23-22, but Buena Vista staved off the rally, securing the final two points to grab a 25-22 set win and a 2-0 match lead.
In the third set, the Beavers gained early control behind a five-point run served by Anabel Seaman to take a 6-3 lead. Carleton closed the margin to 7-7 following a kill from junior Abby Kvart, but Buena Vista answered with an 8-1 run fueled by a pair of Kaylee Wray service aces. The Beavers kept pressure from the service line throughout the set—racking up six aces in the frame—to pull away for a 25-14 set win and wrap up the 3-0 match sweep.
Rachel Bingham led the Knights' attack as the only player to reach double-figure kills with 11 while hitting .346 to go along with six digs. Jennifer Bricker added six kills and two blocks (one solo), while Alexis Ormsby contributed five kills and a service ace. Setter Megan Smith posted a double-double, orchestrating the offense with 22 assists and anchoring the backline with a team-high 15 digs. Libero Madeleine Dimitre chipped in 11 digs and three assists for the defense.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will head on the road for a momentous Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) match up tomorrow afternoon. The Knights will travel to St. Paul, Minn., for a 3pm meeting with Hamline University at Hutton Arena.
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