In a match between a pair of teams seeking their first MIAC wins, St. Catherine toppled the visiting Scots 3-0, handing Macalester its eighth straight defeat. The Wildcats took the first game 30-22 and then fought to win 31-29 and 30-28 decisions in close games two and three.
St. Kate's improves to 9-12 overall and 1-5 in the MIAC, while Mac goes to 2-12 overall, 0-6 in the MIAC.
Kari Tanaka (Sr., Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson) handed out a season-high 41 assists and Kate Fahje (Sr., Waukesha, Wis. / South) just missed her third 20-kill match of the season, finishing with 19 on the night, to lead the Macalester attack. Fahje also contributed five blocks and an ace serve.
Three Scots reached double digits in digs to lead the defensive effort. Kiera Coulter (Fy., Davis, Calif.) led the team with 15 digs, followed closely by Marie Godwin (So., Chaska, Minn.) with 14 and Tanaka with 12.
The Wildcats were led by Nicole Neumann with 18 digs and Whitney Sparby with 30 assists.
Macalester plays four matches this weekend at the Minnesota-Iowa Border Battle II at Hamline University. The Scots will take on Wartburg, Cornell, Loras and Dubuque.