DECORAH, IOWA – The Luther volleyball team played tight matches with Central and UW-Stout on Saturday. However, the Norse dropped both in four sets starting with the Dutch (16-25, 26-24, 20-25, 22-25) and later with the Blue Devils (20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 20-25). Luther is now 5-12 overall and 0-2 in American Rivers Conference (A-R-C).
Match #1: Luther 1, Central 3
Luther opened the triangular against Central. The two teams were even up throughout the match as both were looking for a A-R-C win. The Dutch took the first set 25-16 but the Norse responded in the second set. After a tight start to open the set, Luther rallied to overtake Central after
Haley Gossman tallied her first kill of the day at 14-13. The Dutch followed back with a quick four-point run as the Norse stayed with them. All tied up at 23, it could have gone either way but a kill from
Sarina Stortz put Luther within one from taking the set. Central knotted it up at 24 but two quick errors from the Dutch gave the Norse the set 26-24.
Central won the final two sets 25-20 and 22-25. Luther was close to forcing a deciding set but the Dutch took the match but in the end Central won the match 3-1. For the Dutch it was their first conference game of the season as they improve to 1-0. While the Norse are now 0-2.
Zoe Verhey hit .385 in the match while
Emma Kowalczyk had 31 assists in the match.
Kyah Olson-Sola had 15 digs.
Match #2: Luther 1, UW-Stout 3
UW-Stout and Luther met earlier in the season with the Blue Devils sweeping the Norse. Both teams have come a long way since the first meeting this season on September 15. The Blue Devils took the first two sets by 25-20 and 25-16 as the Norse were in must win situation to keep the match going.
In set three Luther made changes to their rotation and it felt like it was a night and day difference. The Norse came out strong with 6-0 to start off the set. UW-Stout finally captured points but Luther kept the pressure up as the offense was in sync.
Emma Kowalczyk set up
Zoe Verhey for the kill with a 15-7 advantage. Luther went on another long run ending on a service ace from
Emily Hagen. That put the Norse within four of taking the set. UW-Stout answered with a run of their own but the hole was too deep to dig out of. Luther took the set 25-17 forcing the match to a fourth set.
With UW-Stout leading the match 2-1, Luther kept the momentum on their side to take an 8-3 early lead. The Blue Devils responded to tie the match at eight. The Norse had the lead at 14-11 as
Emily Hagen got the kill. UW-Stout capitalized on three back-to-back errors from the Luther hitters for a slim two-point advantage. The two teams battled back and forth in the final stretch of the set. Verhey had the Norse within two points but the Blue Devils won the set 25-23 to win the match 3-1.
Stortz hit .324 in the match leading the hitters with 15 kills. Verhey also recorded 10 kills.
Karoline Tiu had 13 digs.
QUOTE FROM COACH
"The weather and our gym floor made it a long day today for all teams. We battled, but are goint to continue to work on our confidence to finish. Looking forward to a midweek bye as we prepare for Buena Vista and Nebraska Wesleyan trip."
UP NEXT
The Norse go back on the road a stretch of six matches. Their next match will be on Friday, October 6 against Buena Vista at 6 pm in Storm Lake, Iowa.
