WAVERLY, Iowa-- The Wartburg volleyball team (15-5 overall) split its matches Saturday at its own Wartburg Invite. The Knights fell to No. 11 Gustavus, 3-1, but swept Hamline 3-0.

Against the Gusties, the Orange and Black won the first set 25-23, but fell in the next three, 29-27, 25-21, and 25-23.

Senior Aryn Jones (Marion) led the team with 20 kills and junior Lizzy Blough (Dike) joined her in double digits with 13. Senior Maria Brown (Peosta) had a double-double with 21 assists and 19 digs. Junior Mallary Erbes (Urbandale) had 19 assists and freshman Katie Foster (Charles City) had 22 digs.

Wartburg held the advantage in service aces (5-3).

In the final match of the weekend, the Knights jumped to an early lead in each set which they never relinquished. Senior Nikki Burgin (Oelwein) and sophomore Abby Staebell (Hudson) co-led the team with seven kills. Erbes and Brown each had 16 assists and Foster had 11 digs.

Jones was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts.

Brown has now moved into seventh on the all-time career leader list with 1,635 assists to date. She has now surpassed Emma Harmeyer's 1,605.



The Orange and Black open a three-game road swing and will face Loras, Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m.