NEW ULM, Minn. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team faced off against Martin Luther Saturday. After sweeping Bethany Lutheran Friday evening, the Knights would thwart any attempt at back-to-back sweeps for the 'Jackets, forcing a fifth set in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play. Regardless of the fifth set, the Yellowjackets would prevail and take the 3-2 victory.
 
The opening set was by far the closest of the match, with both teams consistently trading leads and points. Teams went back and forth up to a 9-9 tie. After kills from Marena Saeger (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area), Kaylin Plautz (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) and Maiana Stark (Germantown, Wis./Germantown), the Yellowjackets led the set 17-13. The Knights overcame the deficit and tied the match 22-22. After teams consecutively trading points, the Knights finished the first set with a service ace, winning 30-28.
 
UWS came out of the break with a vengeance, scoring five-straight points with back-to-back kills from Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, Minn./Homeschool) and a service ace from Colleen Claude (Centuria, Wis./Homeschool). The Knights fought back to bring the match even at 12-12, but the Yellowjackets scored four-straight points and another five-straight after surrendering two, as they would cruise to a 25-17 win in set two.
 
Set number three was another close match in the start, as Sydney Smith (Milltown, Wis./Unity) helped get the 'Jackets ahead with a kill, followed by a Knights attack error. Martin Luther came within one point at 10-9, but another Smith kill helped spearhead the comeback for UW-Superior. Another six-straight points would lead the Yellowjackets ahead 21-13, which included a service ace from Lizzy Schmidt (Twin Lakes, Wis./Wilmot Union). Martin Luther attempted to spark a rally, but the 'Jackets scored three points to end the set 25-17.
 
Martin Luther would not go down without a fight this evening, as they started the set with three-straight points and ended up with an 11-7 advantage. Plautz would help get the Yellowjackets back on track with a kill and service ace of her own, as UWS would fight its way back to a 13-13 draw. After a costly Yellowjacket service error, the Knights would stay out in front for the remainder of the set, winning 25-17 and forcing the tiebreaker.
 
In the finale the Knights took advantage of a few Yellowjacket miscues and found themselves ahead 3-0. Claude would help steer the 'Jackets back on track, leading to a five-point rally. The Knights would fight back, knotting the match even at five points. Back-to-back kills from Stark and another from Ayla Oltmanns (Gilbert, Minn./Duluth East) helped steer the advantage. The Knights attempted to develop a rally, but the 'Jackets ended up securing the fifth set 15-9, securing the 3-2 match victory.
 
Leading the offensive charge for the Yellowjackets Saturday was Crandell, finishing the afternoon with 11 kills and a .207 attack percentage. Plautz was right behind Crandell, ending her match with 10 kills and 12 points, swinging at a .231 clip.
 
Claude compiled 31 assists in the match, while Schmidt came up with 17. Stark finished with a total of nine kills, a solo block, 21 digs and 11 points.
 
The Yellowjackets will have the week to rest as they shift their focus to bridge-rival St. Scholastica Oct. 13. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Reif Gymnasium.