Macalester vs. Gustavus statistics
No. 19-ranked Gustavus Adolphus held off upset-minded Macalester 3-2 by winning the fifth and decisive set 21-19 at the Leonard Center, denying the Scots the MIAC's biggest shocker of the year. Four of the five sets went extra time before either team could manage a clinching two-point lead, while the exciting battle featured 55 ties and 23 lead changes.
Macalester took the first set 26-24 to get the night off to a good start. The Gusties responded with a 29-27 triumph to avoid a 2-0 deficit and in the third set the Scots came out on top 28-26. Gustavus forced a decisive set by winning 25-10 in set four. Other than the fourth set, the lead for either team only once grew past four points and never was more than five. There were 43 ties in the first three sets and the margin was never greater than two points in the first set.
The fifth set, scheduled for the first team to 15 points, was up for grabs and close throughout. The score was deadlocked at 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 before Gustavus scored the final two points to escape St. Paul with its ninth straight win. Gustavus Adolphus improves to 24-3 overall and 8-2 in the MIAC; Macalester falls to 4-23 on the year and 0-10 in the league. The Gusties are in a three-way tie for second place in the MIAC, along with St. Ben's and Concordia. Both squads recorded 73 kills, but the difference in the match was blocking as Gustavus outblocked the Scots 14-5.
Sonia Muzikarova (Sr., Bratislava, Slovakia / Gymnazium Bilikova) spiked a MIAC season-best 31 kills and
Danielle Dweck (Fy., Glen Head, N.Y. / North Shore) distributed 63 assists to lead the way for the Scots. Muzikarova also contributed 15 digs and Dweck had 19 digs. Each served a couple aces.
Muzikarova's 31 kills is a season high for an MIAC player going into Wednesday night, both in conference and non-conference matches. Dweck's 63 assists ties for best by an MIAC setter in '08.
Majra Mucic (So., Zenica, Bosnia / St. Louis Park (Minn.) was one of several other Scots to play a strong match, finishing with 19 kills and three blocks.
Marie Godwin (Jr., Chaska, Minn.) finished with 10 kills and a season-best 23 digs.
Kiera Coulter (So., Davis, Calif.) led the solid Mac defensive effort with 24 digs.
Erin Cusac (Jr., Pine River, Minn. / Pine River-Backus) finished with nine kills and 15 digs.
Olivia Warren led Gustavus with 19 kills and Nicki Ainsworth added 17 to go along with 20 digs. Britta Bolm had nine blocks and Meghan Gehring added seven.
The Scots close out the '08 campaign Friday (Oct. 31) at home against Hamline at 7 p.m. This will be the final home match for lone Mac senior Muzikarova.
