Winning the first round of the NSIC conference tournament against Minnesota Duluth seemed like it would be a breeze to the WSC volleyball team, as earlier in the season (Oct. 17) the ‘Cats swept the Bulldogs in conference play.

However, a sweep was not in the sights of the Wildcats on Wednesday Nov. 18 when they lost 3-1.

WSC came out hot in the first set, forcing UMD to call a timeout early. The Wildcats closed out the set 25-23.

The Wildcats slowed slightly during the second set, losing 25-23, but during the set neither team led by more than four points. Throughout the second, there was 12 ties and four lead changes, with WSC’s biggest lead early in the set at 8-4. Although the ‘Cats held a lead at 20-18, UMD produced five of the next six points to win the lead at 23-21 and eventually winning the set.

Duluth had 17 kills in the third set, while WSC only had nine, leading the team to fall again to the Bulldogs in the third, 25-20. UMD held several four point leads throughout the set until WSC got within two at 22-20 before the Bulldogs finished the set with three straight points for the win.

The Bulldogs started ahead in the fourth set with a 14-9 lead before WSC made a run and shortened UMD’s lead to 15-13. Shortly after, Duluth put winning the set out of reach of the ‘Cats after scoring six of the seven following points and closed the match with a 25-21 win.

WSC was out hit by UMD .251 to .158. The Wildcats were led in kills by Katie Hughes with 17. Michaela Mestl led the team with 19 digs, while Elizabeth Gebhardt had seven blocks. Leisa McClintock had 24 assists during the game.

Although the conference tournament is over for the ‘Cats, WSC got a bid to go to the NCAA DII volleyball tournament for the 10th time in the last 11 years.

WSC has received the seventh seed and will take on second seed Central Missouri State University, who won the MIAA Tournament and has a 30-4 record, on Thursday.

The battle between the two teams will be a rematch of a first round contest last year, which was won by the Wildcats 3-1.

“We are definitely battle tested,” Coach Scott Kneifl said. “We have played 13 games against top 25 teams. We have won quite a few and lost some. The level of play will not be a surprise.”

The Wildcats will take a 24-7 record to the DII tournament match at Concordia-St. Paul.

“I love the tempo and energy the players have had this past week,” Kneifl said. “I know they are excited to play, and they are really looking forward to it.”