NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team opened the 2016 season at the St. Olaf Tournament on Friday, beating Bethany Lutheran before falling to the host Oles. Junior outside hitter India Medaris (Napa, Calif./Justin Siena) had 19 kills for the Scots, who were 14-15 a year ago.

In the day's first match, Macalester cruised to a 25-9, 25-16, 25-7 triumph over Bethany Lutheran, limiting the Vikings to 13 kills and a -.112 hitting percentage. Medaris led the way with 11 kills, while senior middle hitter Caitlyn O'Neil (Carmichael, Calif./Rio Americano) added seven kills. Sophomore setter Sofi Ascencio (San Francisco, Calif./Holy Names) and senior outside hitter Brooke Hunter (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) delivered 16 and 10 assists, respectively. Defensively, senior defensive specialist Hoai-Nam Bui (McLean, Va./Langley) recorded 17 digs and junior outside hitter Clara Baumann (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) had 14 digs.

Against St. Olaf, the Scots kept the score close in each set but were unable to finish down the stretch, losing 25-20, 25-18, 25-21. Baumann tallied nine kills and 10 digs, while Medaris had eight kills, two blocks and seven digs. Bui, who notched 14 digs, and senior middle hitter Meghan Klapper (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury), who had four blocks, led the Macalester defense.

The Scots continue play at the St. Olaf Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 3 with matches against Martin Luther College at 9:00 a.m. and Buena Vista at 1:00 p.m.

MAC (3) – 25 25 25
BLC (0) – 9 16 7

MAC (0) – 20 18 21
StO (3) – 25 25 25