MANKATO, Minn. – The 15^th ranked Minnesota State Mavericks were handed their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference loss Saturday, dropping a 3-1 match against No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State.

 

The match would start well for MSU as it won the first set, 25-20. The Mavericks led 23-20 before junior middle blocker Jill Storlie recorded back-to-back kills to end the game.

 

MSU seemed to have game two locked up as it led 24-20, but the Mustangs would not allow Minnesota State to earn the game-winning point as they ended the set on a 7-1 run, tying the match at a game apiece.

 

The Mustangs came out hot in game three as they opened the set on an 11-5 run. Southwest Minnesota State wouldn’t slow down from here as it allowed MSU to score just 14 points. The Mustangs took the set, 25-14, as they took a 2-1 match advantage.

 

Despite falling behind 8-2 early in the fourth set, Minnesota State battled back and was able to tie the set at 12. Both teams would trade points for the rest of the set as they found themselves tied at 23. However, it was the Mustangs who came out on top as they recorded the final two points, earning a 25-23 match-sealing fourth set.

 

Minnesota State was led offensively by junior outside hitter Chelsea Fogarty who recorded 16 kills on 49 attempts. Fogarty also recorded a game-high 25 digs. Senior setter Brittany Stamer led the Mavericks with 39 assists while senior setter Cara Carson led the Mustangs with a game-high 54 assists.

 

Southwest Minnesota State had three players’ record double-digit kills as Mary Groth led the way with 24 while Rachel Westby and Brooke Burmeister each recorded 15.

 

The Mavericks (8-2, 1-1 NSIC) return to action Tuesday, Sept. 20 as they travels to St. Paul, Minn., to face top-ranked Concordia University in the team’s first NSIC road match of the season.

 

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