Courtesy of Adam Hussman/MLC SID

NEW ULM — The Martin Luther College volleyball team closed out their 2024 season with a 3-0 sweep over the Northland Lumberjills on Saturday morning.

The Knights honored Lauren Paulsen and Grace Kieselhorst, who played their final matches in an MLC uniform and the pair finished out their careers with one more solid performance. Kieselhorst had 11 kills, 19 assists, and three aces, while Paulsen finished with 10 kills (.529 hitting percentage), nine digs and two blocks, aces.

The Lumberjills gave MLC a competitive first set before the Knights came out with the 25-20 victory. The Knights responded with convincing decisions in the second and third sets, taking those 25-13 and 25-15, respectively.

MLC played with minimal errors in the second set and had a team hitting percentage of .406 on 16 kills and three errors. Overall, the Knights outhit Northland in the kills department with a 45-18 advantage, while also delivering a 42-11 edge in team assists.

Ella Schlei had a efficient day as well with 11 kills (.450 hitting percentage), while Ella Walz dished out 17 assists. Anna Kieselhorst once again led the Knights in digs (14), starting off many MLC volleys in the match.

With the win on Saturday, MLC finishes out the year 8-20 overall, 5-9 UMAC and placed sixth in the regular season UMAC standings.