Volleyball’s eight-match win streak was snapped by Augsburg on Wednesday, Sept. 28, when the Auggies beat the Gusties 3 sets to 1. The loss also broke a 16-match win streak within the MIAC that dated back to 2014.

“Augsburg played relentlessly. Very strong defense and attacked our block a lot…I felt like we couldn’t totally get into a groove and hold our momentum when we did go on runs.” — Coach Sherden

The Gusties trailed for most of the first set until they took a 17-16 lead over the Auggies. The Black and Gold increased their lead to 22-19, but couldn’t hold on as Augsburg tied the score three times then got the kill to win 28-26.

The second set was an all-out battle, with nine ties and five lead changes. The Gusties had the Auggies where they wanted them halfway through the set, leading 18-14, and then 20-16, but a 7-2 run by Augsburg gave them a 23-22 lead that they held on to for the 25-23 win.

The Auggies, smelling blood, fired out of the gate, straining for the shutout, and took a 7-4 lead. The Gusties, not dead yet, rallied for an 11-9 lead. The Auggies bounced back with 5 straight points for a 14-11 advantage, but the Gusties kicked it into high gear and went 14-3 in the rest of the set en route to a 25-17 win.

The final game caught the tired Gusties off guard. Augsburg took a 4-1 lead and never trailed after that, cruising to a 25-16 win.

“Augsburg played relentlessly. Very strong defense and attacked our block a lot on defense. They brought a lot of energy and grit. We played scrappy defense, however we made too many unforced errors on offense and serving. I felt like we couldn’t totally get into a groove and hold our momentum when we did go on runs,” Head Coach Rachelle Sherden said.

“We came in disciplined and aggressive tonight and played solid defense and on serve receive. Nora made very smart decisions to help our attackers get good opportunities.” — Coach Sherden

The Gustie offense was again led by Sophomore Lauren Hanson, who had 16 kills. Sophomore Hannah Albers was right behind Hanson with 15 kills, and also put up a team-high 27 digs for a double-double. Sophomore Nora Holtan had a double-double of her own with 52 assists and 12 digs. Junior Shaefer Rupar also played well with 12 kills.

The Gusties bounced back against St. Thomas on Saturday, Oct. 1, winning in four sets.

In the first set the Gusties found themselves down 16-17, but rallied to win 25-20.

The second set was kicked off with a 8-4 Gustie lead, but five straight Tommie points made it anyone’s game. Gustavus was able to finish however, scoring eight out of the next ten points for a 25-23 win.

The Tommies jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set, forcing a timeout. Gustavus was able to tie the game at 8-8 but couldn’t get ahead as St. Thomas won 25-21.

The fourth set was back-and-forth until a 7-1 run in the middle of the set broke the Tommies minds and spirits as the Black and Gold took a 15-9 lead and held on for a 25-18 victory.

Holtan was again fantastic in the win, earning her third career triple-double qith 48 assists, 16 digs and 10 kills. Albers added a double-double with 19 kills and 18 digs, and Hanson tallied 18 kills. Senior Taylor Trautman had 12 kills in the win, and Sophomore Brittany Luethmers was a force on the back line with 20 digs.

“We bounced back well and had good practice Friday,” Coach Sherden said. “We came in disciplined and aggressive tonight and played solid defense and on serve receive. Nora made very smart decisions to help our attackers get good opportunities against the Tommie defense. Serving was not perfect but purposeful. Traut, Hanna, and Lauren had a solid night on offense.”

Tuesday, Oct. 4 the Gusties travelled to UW-Stout.

The first two sets were close, but the Blue Devils edged out the Gusties 25-23 and 25-18. The Third set saw the tables turn as Gustavus won 25-18, but the Devils dominated in the fourth and final set, winning 25-16.

Hanson tallied a team high 14 kills, Holtan posted 37 assists, and Luethmers tallied 24 digs in the loss

The Gusties are now 13-4 overall and 4-1 in the MIAC.

At 7 p.m. on Friday Gustavus looks to get back on track as the Gusties host Carleton College (11-4 overall, 3-2 MIAC).