ST. PAUL, Minn. - In their second game in as many days, the Hamline volleyball team (3-1, 1-1 MIAC) defeated Macalester (1-2) on Friday night at Hutton Arena. All three sets were close, but the Pipers found a way to close each out, earning their second sweep of the season.
 
Leading HU offensively was junior Sydney Larson, who racked up 12 kills, being the only Piper to reach double digits in that stat category. The Colorado native also finished with six blocks and a team-high 15 digs. This was her third double-double of the year.
 
Sophomore Rachel Rettman had eight kills throughout the contest and senior Megan Rubbelke added an efficient six, with a .600 hitting percentage. Rubbelke also tallied 28 assists and seven digs. Sophomore Maggie Gavic picked up 14 digs in the back row for the Pipers and junior Brynn Hendrickson had three aces, leading the team at the serving line.
 
As a team, the Pipers hit for a .182 percentage which was just above Macalester's .132. HU also held a 10-4 advantage in blocks on the night. The Scots served just as tough as Hamline however, collecting seven aces to HU's six.
 
In the first set, the Pipers scored seven points in a row and went on an 11-2 scoring run midway through the set to take a commanding 17-11 lead. However, the Scots battled back, using five straight points a little bit later in the set to get within one point at 18-17. From there, it would remain close, but Hamline scored the final three points to win 25-23, with kills from senior Karly Bihner, first year Julianna Boyum, and Larson to secure the 1-0 lead.
 
The Pipers got off to a strong start in set number two, taking an 8-2 lead early. Macalester once again rallied, eventually tying the game at 18 apiece. HU then scored the next six straight points to lead 24-18 and MAC would get two more points before a kill from Larson ended the set, 25-20.
 
The third set proved to be just as close, with neither team leading by more than three until the Pipers scored the final two points to claim a 25-21 set win which clinched the sweep.
 
Hamline will play two road games before they have another home game. They head to Saint Mary's first, taking on the Cardinals on Wednesday, April 14 before facing Gustavus on Tuesday, April 20. They will then return to Hutton Arena for a Friday (April 23) game with Augsburg.