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Oles beat Carleton, MIAC co-champs

Brie Mattson
October 25, 2001

Taking the court for their final regular season conference match, the St. Olaf volleyball team made a splash while dominating the Knights to claim the conference co-champion title. The game scores were 30-21, 30-24, and 30-23.

Seniors Nicole Trnka (Morristown, Minn.?Bethlehem Academy) and Katie Allenson (Champlin, Minn.) stepped onto the Ole court for their last home match. Both Trnka and Allenson showed their experience and desire by playing an incredible match. Allenson came out to play with die-hard defense, tallying 13 digs for the Oles, as well as excellent offense with an attack percentage of 0.385. She continues to lead the team with her enthusiasm and love of the game. Trnka?s leadership role is the towrope of the team, pulling her teammates out of lulls with big smiles as well as fierce looks. Her blocking stood out the most but she ended the match in fitting way by smashing the ball to the floor for the final point then turning around with her arms held high and a grin from ear to ear looking to celebrate with her teammates.

The Knights gave the Oles a run for their money during the first and second games. Coming back from small deficits, the Oles trudge on to take control of the later portions of each game. Junior setter Brie Mattson (Anoka, Minn.) pulled the Oles back into the game each time by squelching Carleton?s serve-receive as she accumulated five service aces during the match. The key to the Oles success, even during the lulls, is each player?s contribution with intense and spectacular plays at pivotal moments.

The Oles now move on to play in a tournament in Whitewater, Wis. on Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27 and then onto the MIAC conference tournament Friday, November 2 in hopes of gaining a berth in the post-season playoffs.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.