(ST NORBERT COMMUNICATIONS) RIPON – St. Norbert College got its 2026 season off to a solid start with a 3-0 win over Ripon College in a non-conference match between former Midwest Conference rivals at Willmore Center.
The Green Knights, behind strong runs to close sets, topped the Red Hawks 25-21, 25-20, 25-16.
St. Norbert trailed 11-10 in the opening set before holding a small lead most of the rest of the set. The Green Knights led 21-20 before a 4-1 run gave St. Norbert a 1-0 match lead, paced by a pair of Alli Clark kills. The Green Knights and Red Hawks were tied 17-17 before the visitor held a 20-19 edge, closing things out with a 5-1 run and a 2-0 lead. A kill by Anna Kudick (pictured) and a Flynn Puttin service ace were key St. Norbert plays in the finishing run.
The Green Knights had a little more breathing room in Set 3, jumping out to an 18-9 lead and crusing to a sweep win.
St. Norbert hit .255 in the match, getting 39 kills against 15 errors in 94 attempts. Kudick had 10 kills against one error in 16 attempts. Gracie Buss added eight kills, while Annabel Stevenson added six terminations. Keira Ashenfelter had 21 assists, while Puttin had 11. The Green Knights had seven service aces, with Ashenfelter posting three and Clark two.
A total of 12 different Green Knights posted at least one dig, with Maddie Kitowski getting a team-high nine. Puttin added six and Ashenfelter and Kirsten Klatt had five each. Brooklyn O’Malley had three blocks, while Kudick, Klatt and Puttin all had two apiece.
Ripon hit .092, with 29 kills and 19 errors in 98 attempts. Brooklyn Tranberg and Haylee Kast had six kills apiece to lead the Red Hawks.
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