ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team forced a fifth set and had match point, only to fall at Hamline, 3-2 in a MIAC match Saturday afternoon at Hutton Arena. The match was a part of a tri-match with the Pipers and 12th-ranked UW-Eau Claire, which defeated the Scots in three sets. Macalester is now 14-11 overall, including a 4-5 mark in the MIAC.

In the first set against Hamline (6-19, 3-6 MIAC), the Scots hit .270 and had 14 kills, with first year middle blocker Avery Rahe (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East) recording four kills in a 25-16 win. Macalester had set point in a close second set following a kill by sophomore outside hitter Adisa Preston (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie), but the Pipers scored the final three points to win, 26-24. Preston, Rahe and senior outside hitter Eliza King (Novato, Calif./San Marin) each had four kills in the set. Hamline tallied the final seven points to win the third set, 25-21. Needing a win in the fourth set, the Scots responded, as sophomore right side Gwen Wooten (Allen, Texas/Allen) had five kills in a 25-21 victory.

In the deciding fifth set, the Pipers scored the first four points and eventually led, 8-4. Macalester answered by scoring seven of the next eight points to lead, 11-9. After Hamline tallied three straight points, kills by first year setter Maya Mortenson (Minneapolis, Minn./Spring Lake Park) and Preston helped the Scots score three points to create two match points at 14-12. The Pipers fought off those match points, getting a kill from Juliana Boyum and two kills from Riley Melby to set up match point for the hosts. Hamline tallied the final point of the match on a block to win, 16-14.

King led Macalester with 14 kills and 20 digs, while Preston and Wooten each had 13 kills. Rahe finished with 11 kills. Mortenson registered 37 assists, with sophomore setter Nicole Norton (Brussels, Wis./Southern Door) adding 17 assists and 12 digs. First year Sarah Bohrer (Minneapolis, Minn./Edina) and sophomore Torrance Williams (Houston, Texas/Yes Prep Northbrook) contributed 16 and 15 digs, respectively. Hamline was led by Lindsay Eckelman with 16 kills.

In the day's second match, 12th-ranked UW-Eau Claire (19-6) won in three sets, 25-16, 25-12 and 25-15. Preston had five kills and Wooten and first year outside hitter Grace Watkins (San Angelo, Texas/Georgetown) recorded four kills apiece. Mortenson delivered 10 assists, while Williams tallied eight digs.

Macalester hosts Bethel in a key MIAC match on Friday, Oct. 28. The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.