09/08/06

St. Scholastica picked up their first win of the season in a see-saw battle with Gustavus Adolphus, finally beating the Gusties Friday evening by a 3-2 score at the Sugarloaf Classic hosted by Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota.

After winning the opening game, the Saints dropped the second, then fought back to take the third.

Gustavus battled back to take the fourth game, though, sending the match to a deciding fifth game.

Neither the Saints nor Gusties broke out to much of a lead early but then the Saints began to step ahead, eventually winning the last game by a 15-10 score.

Three Saints reached double-figures in kills in the lengthy match. Amy Thompson tied for the match lead with 19 in the five game match, while Shawna Varichak added 17 and LeAnn Berscheit picked up 11.

Berscheit had four service aces for St. Scholastica and freshman Megan Baartman chipped in with 3 of her own.

The name of the game in the win, though, was defense.

Six Saints reached double-figures in digs as the Saints registered a season-high 123 in the match. Defensive Specialist Diana Moody led all players in the match with 32 while teammate Amy Thompson added 23.