(Editor's note: Carroll College media release)
HELENA -- The Fighting Saints volleyball team got Homecoming Weekend started off right.
Carroll (6-5) opened up Frontier Conference play with a 3-0 sweep of Montana Western on Thursday night in the PE Center, winning 25-18, 25-20 and 25-14.
“I thought we played loose and played extremely calm on the court,” Saints coach Moe Boyle said. “I think our serving got in the way a couple of times in the match in key moments. We missed two many serves for a three-set match. I think the calmness overtook those mental errors and we were able then to settle in and make a few plays in a row.”
Lexi Mikkelsen led all hitters with 14 kills, while Taelyr Krantz and Sophia Spoja added eight and six kills, respectively.
“Lexi Mikkelsen had a great match,” Boyle said. “She put the ball away a lot.”
Krantz added to her big night with a game-high five blocks.
“Taelyr Krantz is doing a really nice job in the middle,” Boyle said.
Ali Williams led all players with 29 assists.
“Ali Williams did a really nice job of running the offense tonight,” Boyle said.
Carroll led the majority of the evening, finding its rhythm to build leads against the Bulldogs in each set. Carroll held at least five-point leads in each set and closed out with a commanding effort in the third and final set.
“I appreciated the hustle tonight,” Boyle said. “As a team, we played more as a team than we have for maybe the last couple of years.”
The Saints experimented with their lineup during the preseason, but now that conference time has arrived, the Saints’ unit is gelling and getting results. The Saints, as a team, hit .221 for the match.
“I think they really came together,” Boyle said. “I think they knew what playing a conference match meant. I was excited for the energy, the crowd was incredible. I think the lineup we have right now is dynamic and we put the ball away.”
This is the Saints’ third consecutive sweep.
The Saints next play against No. 23 Rocky Mountain College on Saturday in Billings.
