DECORAH, Iowa - The Luther volleyball team closed the 2023 season with 3-0 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday. The Blugolds won the match in three sets by scores of 20-25, 18-25, 14-25. The Norse were led Sarina Stortz with seven kills and three blocks while Zoe Verhey had six kills with zero errors hitting .500 in the match. Karoline Tiu had seven digs leading the defense. The Norse also honored their 2023 senior class before the match. Luther finishes the season with a 9-21 record and 1-7 in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) play. 

Luther grabbed the first point of the match with a solo block by Sarina Stortz. That moment echoed through the entire gym and set the tone for the match. There were eight times the score was tied and three lead changes in the first set. Neither team went on a run of more than four points. The Norse offense had kills from Zoe Verhey, Stortz, Emma Kowalczyk, Emily Hagen, Haley Gossman and Julianne Lundvall. All of whom contributed to a .240 hitting percentage compared to .194 of the Blugolds. However, UW-Eau Claire won the first set 25-20. 

In the second set the Blugolds jumped on a lead early but the Norse rallied coming within three points at 11-14 off a kill from Hagen. UW-Eau Claire pressed on with a five point run and despite being down Luther fought on. A kill by Verhey ended the run by the Blugolds. The Norse also grabbed a point off hitting error by the Blugolds and a service ace by Kyah Olson-Sola. Then UW-Eau Claire closed out the second set on a 3-2 scoring run to win the set 25-18. 

The Norse subbed in the rest of their senior class of Ava Holland, Eva Mark and Johanna Muenkel near the end of the third set. The Blugolds won the match 3-0 taking the third set 25-14. 

Luther concludes the 2023 season with a 9-21 overall record and 1-7 in the A-R-C. 

2023 Seniors: Ava Holland, Eva Mark, Johanna Muenkel, Gabbie Schei and Sarina Stortz.