SAINTS POWERFUL THIRD SET NOT ENOUGH TO BEST LANCERS

Volleyball | Tue, Aug. 23, 2022 at 10:50 PM

Aberdeen, S.D. – The Presentation College Saints’ volleyball team started off the season with a narrow 1-3 (25-22, 25-21, 25-12, 25-10) loss over non-conference opponent Mount Marty on Tuesday night. Saints returner Kerstin Knopik led the Saints attack with 15 kills. Presentation’s defense was lead by Laura Babcock (SR/Aberdeen, SD) tallying 15 digs. Newcomer Grace Tobin (JR/Mason City, IA) was able to balance the scales tallying 15 kills and 13 digs.

How It Happened 

In the first set of the match, both teams stayed neck in neck as neither team had a bigger lead than five points through the first 17 serves. The Lancers gained momentum with a 5 point scoring run before the Saints were able to answer back. Presentation was able to even the score with some defensive blunders from the Lancers evening the score to 15. Saints errors allowed Mount Marty to regain the led but they wouldn’t go down without a fight coming back with a couple big attacks closing the score to 24-22, a narrowly missed attack would push the Lancers to 25 to take the set.

The Saints looked to battle back in their second set. The Lancers attack came hard at the Presentation defense but a few missed attacks from the Saints would allow the Lancers to take the led early. The Saints attack would put the pressure on Mount Marty allowing them to keep the score within 1. Presentation went on to pass the points back and forth for 11 serves before falling 25-21.

The Saints came out swinging in the third set, taking a 0-3 lead over the Lancers. Mount Marty would get on the board before the Saints went on a 6-point streak, led by the service of Sydney Miller (SR/Battle Ground, WA). Presentation’s heavy attack would allow them to continue steady 3-point streaks throughout the set with their largest lead sitting at 12 points over the Lancers. Saints take the third set 25-12, forcing a fourth set. Presentation bested the Lancers in the third set by posting a .409 team attack percentage.

Mount Marty came out of the gate quick in the fourth set 10-1. The Saint’s are able to answer back with a few powerful kills out of the hands from Knopik, Tobin and Maggie Heesch (SO/Watertown, SD) but it proves not to be enough as the Lancers take the fourth and final set 25-10, with the final match score ending 1-3.

Newcomer Grace Tobin would record her first double-double for the Saints, totaling 11 kills and 13 digs….