The St. Olaf women’s volleyball team faced Concordia College in a MIAC clash on Oct. 25 at Skoglund Center. Despite claiming the first set in an emphatic fashion, the Oles were unable to maintain control, falling 25-16, 26-28, 18-25, 22-26 in a close encounter.
With the Oles and the Cobbers sitting in ninth and tenth places in the conference respectively, the match was of vital importance to both teams’ playoff aspirations. St. Olaf got off to the perfect start, winning the first set by the comfortable margin of 25-16. The Oles hit .133 throughout the set, with 10 kills on 30 attempts.
The second set was a grueling battle, with both teams having opportunities to prevail. The Cobbers were in control for almost the entirety of the set, at one stage leading 18-13. However, the Oles refused to go down without a fight, levelling the set at 23 points apiece, and then again at 26-26. Ultimately, Concordia managed to win the next two points, closing out the set 28-26.
With the showdown locked at one set each, the third set shaped up to be a defining period of the match. Despite racing out to a 10-7 lead, the Oles were unable to continue their dominance, losing 11 of the following 13 points. St. Olaf lost the set 18-25, putting the Cobbers in the driving seat to win the battle.
Needing to win the fourth set to keep the contest alive, St. Olaf dominated the early parts of the set. Late in the set, the Oles led the Cobbers 17-12. Unfortunately, the Oles were unable to close the set out, falling 22-25 and losing the match.
St. Olaf 9-17, 2-6 MIAC and Concordia 11-11, 4-4 MIAC each finished the clash with nine blocks. The Oles’ Devon Flohrs ’17 led the team in kills with 11. Abby Slack ’17 recorded 18 digs in the loss for St. Olaf.
Following a mid-week clash with Saint Mary’s University, the Oles will close out their season at Skoglund Center on Oct. 31, with a match against crosstown rivals Carleton College.
