St. Catherine University Athletics

The St. Catherine University volleyball team needed to find a way to end its three-match losing streak and get back on the winning track, but faced the incredible challenge of doing so against defending Division III national champion University of St. Thomas.
 
Despite an improved hitting performance for the Wildcats, the high-powered No. 3 Tommie offense was too much for the Wildcats to handle in a tough 3-0(25-18, 25-10, 25-15)  loss Wednesday evening at the Butler Center.
 
After starting off allowing the Tommies to take a quick lead, the Wildcats managed to battle back late in the first set and pull within four points at 22-18. But that's as close as they would come as the Tommies took the first and never looked back.
 
Despite another tough night hitting, the Wildcats improved defensively as they put up five total team blocks and chipped out 37 digs. Amber Zeiher (LeSueur, Minn.) led the team with assists on four of the five blocks and hit a team best .333 with five total kills, while Shanee Herd (Alexandria, Minn.) and Shelby Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn.) each had nine digs.
 
Offensively, Jana Christiansen (North Mankato, Minn.) and Abigail Palmer (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) each had seven kills, while Palmer chipped in four digs. Ashley Kahlow (LeSueur, Minn.) had a team-high 10 assists.
 
With the loss the Wildcats fall to 3-0 in the conference and will look to pick up their first win of the season against a currently 0-2 Bethel University squad. Saturday's matchup is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Arden Hills, MInn.
 
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