The Benedictine Volleyball team picked up its third-straight win on Tuesday night in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. The Ravens defeated the Baker Wildcats 3-1.
After splitting the first two sets, with Benedictine (10-8, 5-3 Heart) winning the first set 25-14 and Baker (8-12, 3-5 Heart) taking the second set 28-26, the Ravens earned a 25-23 win in the third set to take control of the match. The Ravens capitalized on that advantage, finishing the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth set to take the match.
Fleur Wesselink led the attack for the Ravens, recording 20 kills, plus four aces. Also on the attack was Makenna Ketter, who had 13 kills, while Elizabeth Nobert had 12 and Sara Rahmanzai had 11 kills. Paxton Throne finished 57 assists for the Ravens as Benedictine hit .276 as a team.
Defensively, Abby Brown had 21 digs. Hannah Thomazin added 14 digs and Wesselink had 13 digs. Nobert recorded four block assists and one solo block.
Benedictine dominated the first set, winning by 11 points. Baker bounced back in the second set, at one point leading the Ravens by 8 points. However, Benedictine battled back and evened the score 24-24. The teams stayed even through 26-26 before the Wildcats scored twice to win the set.
Benedictine showed that same determination while trailing in the third set, falling behind Baker 17-15. A 7-3 run helped the Ravens jump in front 22-20. The Wildcats evened the set 23-23, but the Ravens finished the set off with two points to win 25-23.
The fourth set was a tight battle throughout, as neither team led by more than two points for the majority of the set. With the score tied 17-17, the Ravens put the match away with an 8-4 run to win 25-21.
Ketter came up big in the fourth set, recording five kills in the final frame, including the match-winner. Nobert also had four kills in the fourth set.
The win by the Ravens gives them the regular-season sweep over the Wildcats and runs their winning streak over Baker to four straight.
Benedictine remains at home for its next match when the Ravens play Clarke University at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday for a junior varsity and varsity doubleheader. The Ravens also play at home against Mount Mercy University at noon on Sunday, Sept. 30.
