ST. PAUL, Minn. – In a closely-contested non-conference match, the Macalester College volleyball team came out on top against UW-Stout, 22-25, 25-22, 26-24, 30-28 Saturday afternoon in the Leonard Center. The Scots improve to 10-5 overall, while the Blue Devils fall to 9-6.

In the first set, Macalester held a 22-21 lead late, only to have UW-Stout take the final four points to win the set. The Scots reversed that trend in the second set, overcoming a 20-19 deficit by scoring six of the final eight points to tie the score at one set apiece. The run included two kills each from sophomore Anna Fritz Mountain View, Calif./Mountain View) and first year Stephanie Geber (Oviedo, Fla./Oviedo).

UW-Stout opened the third set with a 7-1 run and built a 12-4 lead. Trailing 17-12, the Scots tied the score at 18-18, capped by kills from junior Eliza King (Novato, Calif./San Marin) and first year Adisa Preston (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie). The Blue Devils managed to take a 23-21 edge, only to have Macalester tally the next three points to create set point, 24-23. UW-Stout scored the next point, but kills by first year Gwen Wooten (Allen, Texas/Allen) and Geber gave the Scots a 26-24 win.

In the fourth set, UW-Stout overcame early Macalester leads to set up set point, 24-22. Again Macalester responded, scoring the next three points to pull to within one point of closing out the match, 25-24. The Blue Devils scored the next two points and had set point at 26-25, 27-26 and 28-27. Each time the Scots found a way to stay alive, with Preston recording kills in all three instances. With the score tied at 28-28, King registered a kill, and an attack error by the Blue Devils gave Macalester the victory, 30-28.

King paced the offense with 17 kills while adding 15 digs on defense. Geber finished with 11 kills and eight total blocks, while Preston tallied 10 kills and 17 digs. First year Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) dished out 45 assists and had 16 digs and four blocks. First year Torrance Williams (Houston, Texas/YES Prep Northbrook) led the defense with 26 digs. UW-Stout was paced by Elise Banitt and Jessica Barr with 14 kills apiece.

Next up for the Scots is a MIAC match at St. Olaf on Friday, Oct. 1. The conference clash begins at 7:00 p.m. in Northfield, Minn.

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