Gustavus rides a ten-game winning streak into an opportunity to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1986
Gustavus’ Volleyball team has been playing exceptionally well going into the MIAC Playoffs. Their most recent victory, a three set stomping of MIAC foe St. Mary’s, has assured them of the #2 seed in the playoffs, clinching a first round bye and a second round home game. Counting that win, Gustavus has won its past ten contests, including huge wins over #21 St. Ben’s and #12 Concordia, as well as 16 of their past 18 games. Although Gustavus beat the Cobbers, the Gusties, Bennies and Cobbers hold the #17-19 positions in the national poll while conference-leading St. Thomas sits at #6 in the AVCA poll. “The team has worked extremely hard this season and we’ve really come together. Our success is a reflection of the hard work we’ve done in the gym,” said Head Coach Kari Eckhardt. “We have to be ready to play every match and the team does a good job of preparing themselves mentally. We’re going to take it one match at a time and play our game. We’ve got the talent to compete with anyone.”
Leading the Gustie attack in the sweep of St. Mary’s was Sophomore Nicki Ainsworth whose 14 kills paced the team. Ainsworth also added nine digs and four blocks while First-year Angela Ahrendt contributed ten kills of her own. Senior Emily Klein and Sophomore Jenny Ewert played tough back line defense, tallying 19 and 16 digs, respectively, while Senior Bridget Burtzel, named last week’s MIAC Setter/Libero of the Week for her efforts in the previously mentioned contests against ranked opponents, had 34 assists against the Cardinals.
Gustavus heads into the playoffs with a 25-3 record (9-2 in MIAC play) and has accrued the most wins in a season under current Head Coach Eckhardt, the most wins the program has seen since the fall of 1994 when the Gusties went 31-10.
“A streak of winning ten games in a row is always a great feeling. I think our team is really excited to have done so well in regular season and we are exactly where we want to be as playoffs begin,” said Junior defensive specialist Tara Kramer. “Momentum is a huge element in the game of volleyball and as of now it has been working in our advantage.”
Both lower seeds upset ranked MIAC opponents in the first round of the playoff this past Tuesday, setting up a rematch of the final regular season match against St. Mary’s this Thursday. (THE WEEKLY will be in print before this contest is played.)
“The challenge of playing this team so late in the season and then again in the playoffs is that they know what works and what doesn’t work against us. It will come down to who utilizes their strengths the best and who goes out and plays together as a team,” said Klein. “I definitely think that our team knows how to play together and do what it takes to get the job done. Everyone needs to go all out ever play and not have any regrets.”
The MIAC coaches named their postseason award winners this past Wednesday, bestowing Klein the MIAC Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Klein as well as Burtzel were named to the All-MIAC team for their efforts this season. Senior Britta Bolm was named to the MIAC All-Sportsmanship Team as well.
“We really try to focus on one game at a time, and not look ahead—which I feel has made us successful. We don’t overlook any team, especially in the MIAC. It’s really all about which team is focused & ready to play that night, as you have seen from the unexpected wins so far in playoffs,” said Burtzel. “However, I think having all these wins shows that we really know how to finish..there are numerous games where we were down, and we found it in us to pull together and finish each game. So we definitely have that on our side as we head into the playoffs.”