ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Gustavus volleyball team traveled to Hamline on Saturday night and took a 3-2 loss to the Pipers. With the loss, the Gusties move to 13-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
The Gusties had the upper hand in set one with an early 17-7 lead and a 26-24 victory while making 20 kills in the process.
Hamline fired back in set two with an early 6-1 advantage and maintained the lead, tying the match 1-1.
Gustavus retaliated with an early 12-4 edge in the third frame and accelerated with a six point run in the 25-13 third set win to make it a 2-1 match in the Gusties favor.
The Pipers rallied midway through the fourth set with a 14-7 lead over the Gusties which proved solid in their 25-17 final, tying the match and forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set Hamline jumped out early and was able to hold an 8-5 lead at the halfway point. Just when Gustavus gained momentum, the Pipers held them to a 14-14 tie before two finals kills to hand the Gusties a 16-14 loss.
Sarah Elliott (Jr., Lombard, Ill.) led the team with 14 kills, while Hailey Embacher (Sr., Mankato) had 27 digs.