Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 19 Minnesota State Mavericks saw both of their seniors reach impressive career milestones Saturday as the team defeated Winona State in five sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-27, 16-25, 15-13).
 
With the first set out to a 4-4 tie the Mavericks went on a 12-7 run giving them a 16-11 lead.  Winona State made their run late in the set as it cut the lead to three at 23-20; however, MSU would close out the set with back-to-back kills giving it the 25-20 victory.
 
Winona State jumped ahead quick in the second set as it opened up with an early 5-1 lead.  The Mavericks responded quickly to their early deficit though as they went a on a 13-5 run giving them a 14-10 advantage.  After the Warriors tied the set at 16, the teams traded points with each other until MSU was able to close out the set on a 5-0 run, taking the set, 25-20.
 
The third set saw four lead changes and 11 ties before the Warriors put an end to the match as they won their first set of the night, 27-25.
 
The Warriors would force a match-deciding fifth set as they took the fourth set, 25-16.  The Mavericks never got their offense going in the set as they were outscored 16-7 after beginning the set tied at nine.
 
Minnesota State wouldn't let the match slip away though as it defeated the Warriors, 15-13, in the night's final set.  The Mavericks led 14-13 before freshman outside hitter #Olivia Kuker# recorded the set-winning kill, sealing the match for MSU.
 
"We played well at the start but kind of hit a slow patch in the middle of the match," head coach Dennis Amundson said.  "But we had a lot of players come in and play well at the end which helped us win the match with a total team effort."
 
Senior setter #Brittany Stamer# needed just five assists to become the school's all-time leader as she recorded 56 in the match.  Stamer, now at 4,419 career assists, passed Jen Blendermann who recorded 4,367 assists from 1999-2002.
 
"The great thing about Stamer is that she has only gotten better during her time here as she has worked hard at improving her craft," Amundson said.  "She is a tireless worker and she has been reliable during her career, proving to be a durable leader."
 
Also reaching a career milestone for the Mavericks was senior defensive specialist #Alli Rice# who recorded 28 digs as she is now second on the school's all-time digs list.  Rice, now at 1,277 career digs, passed Lindsay Childers who finished her career with 1,253 digs from 1999-2002.
 
"Rice has been steady for us all year," Amundson said.  "Her court presence and understanding of the game is what we really like about her."
 
Leading the Mavericks offensively was junior outside hitter #Chelsea Fogarty# who finished with 17 kills on 55 attempts.  Also recording double-digit kills for MSU was junior middle blocker #Jill Storlie# and junior outside hitter #Jenna McNallan# who finished with 15 and 12, respectively.
 
Minnesota State finished the match with more kills (64-57), digs (109-104) and blocks (22-18) than the Warriors.
 
The Mavericks (15-7, 8-6 NSIC) are next in action Saturday, Oct. 29 as they travel to Marshall, Minn., to face Southwest Minnesota State.  The match is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.