New Ulm, MN - The MLC volleyball team honored its 2023 senior class (Hannah Foley,  Naomi Bridgemen, Megan Kieselhorst, Paige Biesterfeld, and Abigail Winkel) in a 3-1 loss to North Central (25-20, 17-25, 16-25, 18-25) on Friday night.

The evening started off on a right note, as the Knights took care of business in the first set, beating North Central 25-20. 

Following the opening set, North Central would take advantage of nine MLC errors committed in the second set and split the match 1-1. The Rams would then have an efficient third set where they hit .242 on their way to the 25-16 win.

The Rams claimed an eight point edge in the fourth set, but the Knights made a final push and brought the deficit within five points (22-18) after a kill and block from Biesterfeld. However, the comeback would prove to be too late as North Central finished off the match with a kill and a couple of attacking errors from MLC.

Lauren Paulsen collected a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Meanwhile Grace Kieselhorst had 19 assists, while freshman Natalie Ritter had her best game of the season, leading the Knights with 14 digs.

Despite the loss, the Knights volleyball team will clinch the fourth spot in the UMAC tournament with either a Northland loss or an MLC win with two conference games remaining.

MLC (8-16, 6-6) will have a week off before they head up to UW-Superior next Friday, November 3. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.