WINONA, Minn. –  In midweek volleyball action the Luther volleyball team played UW-La Crosse to five sets where the Eagles took the match 3-2 (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 16-25, 8-15) and fell to St. Mary's in three (16-25, 16-25, 15-25) on Tuesday.
 
Match #1: Luther 2, UW-La Crosse 3
For the Norse this was their third five set match in four games. After taking a 25-22 win to take set one Luther was focused and relaxed. In set two the Norse hitters turned it up a notch. The hitters were unstoppable by hitting to their highest percentage in a set this season at .368. Sarina Stortz leading the hitters in the set with four followed by Julianne Lundvall with three.
 
The Eagles threated pulling within one at 19-18 but Stortz had back-to-back kills to extend the lead. Kyah Olson-Sola also had a service ace which helped the Norse secured the set 25-18.
 
UW-La Crosse made adjustments in the third and fourth set in attempt to throw off Luther. Their plan worked as the Eagles took sets three and four at 25-21 and 25-16 forcing the fifth set. 
 
The final set of the match is always a tight one as both teams want to come out with the win. The two teams went back and forth exchanging points until it was time to trade sides at 8-7. The Eagles holding that one-point advantage over the Norse. Luther attempted to battle back but UW-La Crosse took winning the fifth 15-8.
 
Match #2: Luther 0, St. Mary's 3
In the late-night match Luther was swept by the St. Mary's 16-25, 16-25, 15-25. The Norse did have some bright spots. After dropping the first set Luther went on a five-point run rallying out to a 6-3 advantage. The Cardinals hung in there to take back the lead midway through the second set. However, after a kill from Emily Hagen at 15-18, St. Mary's took control to finish out the set 25-16.
 
In the nights final set Luther wanted to force a fourth set the but the St. Mary's hitters got through the defense. The Cardinals swept the match 3-0 closing out the match 25-15. Stortz led the way for the Luther hitters with eight kills hitting .412 over the match. Defensively, Gabbie Schei had 12 digs.
 
TOP NORSE

• Julianne Lundvall started at setter for both matches recording 40 assists. She also had 14 kills and 21 digs.
• Gabbie Schei led the defensive with 27 digs.

 
 
UP NEXT
The Norse compete at the UW-La Crosse Invitational on Friday, September 15 facing UW-Stout at 3:00 pm followed by Martin Luther College at 5 pm.