NORTHFIELD, Minn. — After 19 competitions, the Gusties played their first five-set match of the season Saturday evening at St. Olaf.
Fortunately for the Gusties, five sets would be just enough to maintain their perfect conference record, 5-0.
The Oles got off to a strong start in set one, taking a 6-2 early lead. The Gusties would even the score at 9-9, but St. Olaf would maintain their momentum as they rolled to a 25-18 victory over the Gusties in set one.
St. Olaf carried their offensive energy into the second match, pulling away from the Gusties for four unanswered points before taking the set two victory at 25-17.
The Gusties battled back in a crucial set three victory, evening the score with the Oles at 19-19 before stringing together four unanswered points en route to a 25-21 victory.
Neither team maintained more than a two-point lead in set four, but the Gusties would pull away at just the right time to win 28-26 and force a set five. With their perfect MIAC record on the line, and in dramatic fashion, the Gusties completed their comeback victory over St. Olaf with a 15-11 set five victory.
Sarah Elliott (Sr., Lombard, Ill.) and Marlee Turn (Jr., Kennedy) led the Gustie offense for the second straight day, delivering 15 kills each, while and Lauren Klaith (Jr., Rockford) added 12 of her own. Kasie Tweet (Jr., Adrian) posted 45 assists and 12 digs while Maren Sundberg (Fy., Eagan) delivered a team-best 18 digs.
The Gusties, now 16-4 overall, are back on their home court on Tuesday, taking on Cornell for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m.