Co-contributor Cole Hatzky
Sports Editor
The St. Olaf women’s volleyball team took to the court for the final time this season on Oct. 30. The Oles lost a hard-fought game against their cross-town rival, the Knights of Carleton College, in a closely fought matchup.
With Halloween just around the corner and Carleton as the opponent, the atmosphere in Skoglund Center was electric and festive, with many costumed fans cheering on the Oles.
The Oles lost the game 3 sets to 1, though statistics show a closer game. While Carleton’s hitting percentage was .285, St. Olaf’s was .207. In kills, Carleton led St. Olaf 55 to 50. Although the Oles couldn’t pull away with a win against the Carls, the strong performance will surely prove to be memorable for the seniors who played their final game for St. Olaf.
Abby Carpenter ’18 and and Kathryn Johnson ’16 led the Oles with 13 kills each, and Megan Grimes ’19 followed up with a total of 10 kills. Kersten Bork ’16 led the Oles in assists, finishing with a total of 45. On the defensive side of the ball, Abby Slack ’17 led the team with 14 digs, while Sophie Schwartz ’17 had three blocks. For Carleton, a multitude of aces sealed the victory, with Faith Skinner leading the Carls with 16 total kills.
With this match, the Oles finish their season with a MIAC record of 1-10 and an overall record of 9-19. It was certainly a tough season for the Oles, who didn’t quite achieve their begining of the season goals. With that being said, this season was crucial for the development of young players that will soon form the backbone of the team. The experience and guidance passed down from departing seniors will no doubt play an important role in upcoming seasons. But for now, the end of the season is a time for seniors to reflect on the memories and successes that they have had during their time as Ole athletes.
