NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton women volleyball team battled throughout the match, but by the end of the contest, the Knights saw why the College of Saint Benedict was ranked No. 16 in the nation as the Blazers prevailed 25-21, 25-17, and 25-22.
Carleton (12-6, 2-3 MIAC) led at multiple points in each set but was unable to rally for the upset. The Knights did finish the match with a .160 attack percentage, the highest figure by a MIAC opponent against the Blazers this season.
"[Saint Benedict is] a very good team," said Carleton head coach Heidi Jaynes, "and we did some really nice things tonight. We just can't afford to make some of the mistakes we did against a quality opponent like that. We proved we can play with them, but now we need to focus on our next match."
Kelly Lovett (Jr./Portland, Ore./Lincoln) led the home team with 11 kills. Kyla Walter (Jr./Apsen, Colo.) and Jessa Youso (Fy./Virginia, Minn.) contributed six kills apiece.
Other statistical leaders for Carleton include Beth Jarrett (Jr./Mounds View, Minn./Irondale) with 19 assists, Laura Barsness (Sr./Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) with 14 digs, and Annie Eckhoff (Sr./Northfield, Minn.) with four blocks.
The Knights continue to be the best blocking team in the conference as they added 9.0 blocks to their season total.
Kayli Schumacher had 11 kills and Calleigh Brown added 10 for the Blazers (18-4, 4-0 MIAC) who have now won 13 straight matches.
The Knights will face a second straight nationally-ranked foe with No. 19 Concordia College-Moorhead visits West Gym on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.
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