SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Saint Martin's women's volleball team (2-2) came up short in two fixtures on Saturday, falling 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-15, 25-16) to No. 17 ranked Nebraska-Kearney, before being unable to grab a five-set thriller and losing to Texas Women's University by a score of 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 24-26, 27-25, 15-7).
 

In a thrilling matchup against the nationally ranked #17 Nebraska-Kearney, Saint Martin's women's volleyball team delivered an inspiring performance in their first game of the day. This game was not only marked by intense competition but also by significant individual milestones and noteworthy statistical achievements.

Senior captain Karla Soto reached a remarkable milestone during this match, notching her 1,000th career assist, a testament to her exceptional playmaking abilities. Head Coach Dan Behnke couldn't have been prouder, expressing his admiration, "I'm super proud of Karla. She's a selfless leader who always puts others first. She's earned the right to be one of our senior captains, and we look forward to seeing her continue in her success." Soto finished with 42 assists.

On the statistical front, both teams showcased their competitive prowess. Despite the eventual loss, Saint Martin's demonstrated solid performances with Emmy Hansen leading the team in kills with 14, closely followed by Maddy Gooding with 12. The dynamic duo of Soha and Hansen recorded a combined 11 blocks, showcasing the team's defensive strength.
 

In the second game against Texas Woman's, Saint Martin's women's volleyball team continued to exhibit their resilience and competitive spirit. Although they narrowly fell short in this match, losing with a score of 2-3, their performance was marked by notable achievements.

Emily Garten emerged as a standout performer for Saint Martin's, showcasing her exceptional skills with 23 kills in the match. Karla Soto, the team's senior captain, once again played a pivotal role with 49 assists. Despite the loss, it was a fiercely contested battle, with both teams displaying strong offensive and defensive capabilities.

Head Coach Dan Behnke commended the team's efforts, saying, "We faced some tough competition today, but we battled and never gave up. No one likes moral victories, but we have a close-knit group, and it was great to see how we responded to adversity." Coach Behnke's words emphasized the team's unity and ability to persevere in challenging circumstances, which bodes well for their future performances in the season.


The Saints will be back in the Rocky Mountain West next week when they head to Colorado Springs, Colorado for four games at the Mountain Lion Classic hosted by UCCS on Friday and Saturday.