NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The Hamline volleyball team (1-1, 0-1 MIAC) opened the MIAC season on Friday night, falling to St. Olaf (1-0, 1-0 MIAC) 3-0 in Northfield.
 
Junior Sydney Larson led the team offensively with nine kills on the night and junior Gabby Robinson helped out with an efficient five kills on eight attacks (.625). Senior Megan Rubbelke led the way defensively, with seven digs while also dishing out 18 assists.
 
As a team, the Pipers were held to a meager .070 hitting percentage whereas the Oles hit .287 throughout the contest.
 
The first set started close, with HU holding a 7-5 lead early in the match. The Oles, however, then scored 10 of the next 12 points to put themselves up by six (15-9). They closed out the set on a strong note, getting nine of the last 11 points, to win 25-14.
 
St. Olaf carried that momentum into the second set, getting out to an 8-2 lead. STO would push this lead to 22-10 late in the match, before the Pipers rallied for multiple points in a row, scoring five of the last seven, but at that point it was too late, as the Oles finished the set with back-to-back kills to win 25-15.
 
A seven-point rally for St. Olaf midway in the third put them ahead of Hamline 16-7. The Pipers answered with three straight points of their own and play went back-and-forth after that, but the Oles were able to maintain their lead, winning 25-17 to earn the sweep.
 
The Pipers will be back at home for their next game, hosting Concordia on Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m.