ST. PAUL, Minn. – Junior middle hitter Ashley Helfinstein (Sunnyvale, Calif./Homestead) had a career-high 13 kills, including four in the final set, to lead the Macalester College volleyball team to a 3-2 victory over Finlandia University in a non-conference match Friday evening in the Leonard Center. The Scots, who won by scores of 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-12, improve to 9-11 with the win, while the Lions fall to 4-13.

After the teams exchanged sets to start the match, Finlandia took control with a 25-18 win in the third set. The Lions jumped out to a 10-5 lead and never looked back, putting the Scots down 2-1 in the match. Momentum stayed with the visitors, as Finlandia held a 21-19 edge in the fourth set. But Macalester did not surrender, as the Scots scored six of the final seven points to take the set and tie the match.

In the decisive fifth set, Macalester led 5-1 and 10-2, sparked by kills from Helfinstein and sophomore middle hitter Sofia Parmelee (Tenafly, N.J./Tenafly) and three points off blocks. Finlandia battled back to come within two points, 14-12, but Helfinstein tallied her third straight kill on match point to give the Scots the victory.

Helfinstein, whose previous career best was seven kills, hit a perfect 1.000 in the fifth set and .323 for the match. Parmelee also registered a career high with 11 kills and a .346 hitting percentage to go with five blocks. Senior outside hitter Nicole Bennington (Shelton, Wash./Olympia) added nine kills and four blocks, senior outside hitter Sofi Ascencio (Oakland, Calif./Holy Names) had eight kills and 11 digs, and sophomore middle hitter Kendall Ford (Seattle, Wash./The Northwest School) notched seven kills.

Senior setter Emily Bowler (South Salem, N.Y./John Jay) had a double-double with 43 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore libero Abrielle Dillon (Brown Deer, Wis./University School of Milwaukee) and junior defensive specialist Hannah Detlaff (Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire Memorial) led the defense with 24 and 16 digs, respectively. Marina Dalton had 14 kills for the Lions.

Macalester returns to MIAC play with a match at St. Catherine on Saturday, Oct. 6. The first serve is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

MAC (3) – 25 23 18 25 15
Fin (2) – 23 25 25 22 12