(Editor’s note: Carroll College athletics release)
HELENA — The Carroll College Saints’ volleyball team — dramatic second set and all — took care of business on Friday night against Montana State-Northern, winning 3-0.
Carroll (18-12, 4-4) won 25-18, 25-22 and 25-12.
The second set is where things got interesting — and Saints coach Moe Boyle said that was partially on her. Boyle submitted an alternate lineup that moved several players out of of their normal positions.
“I was proud of them because I messed up the starting lineup and so we have people out of position. They have to scramble. It’s not just three rotations really. It’s more than that because there’s girls playing out of rotation behind them as well.”
Northern started the second set nabbing an advantage. That lead swelled to a score of 20-15 before the Saints broke through. Carroll answered with four consecutive points on two kills by Lexi Mikkelsen, an attack error by MSU-N, and a Rayna Pilgeram ace.
Northern struck back with two points, but Carroll closed the set out with six consecutive points.
“They didn’t make the errors at the end of the second set,” Boyle said. “We got a block. We got a kill. We got an ace. We earned those points. I’m excited about the way we’re earning our points.”
Carroll rounded back into form in the third set, dominating to close out the match.
Mikkelsen led the Saints with eight kills, while Pilgeram added 27 assists and Carpenter led the defense with 16 digs.
The Saints kept their errors low on Friday, recording 13 in the game. The group averages 20 a game.
“It doesn’t matter who is on the other side of the net you have to put the ball in the court,” Boyle said. “That’s an exciting part to the stat sheet.”
The Saints take on Providence (18-7, 7-2) on Saturday, which will also serve as Senior Night.
“We’re playing on senior night and that always adds to the emotions of the game,” Boyle said. “You somehow have to come out of the locker room and walk through those emotions and then hit the floor and play. That’s going to be the first hurdle.
“But then second it’s Great Fall who has been playing very well and has had great year. We didn’t play extremely well in Great Falls, you want to show up better than we did last time and see what happens.”
The Saints-Argonauts match begins at 7 p.m.
