Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University volleyball had its efforts come up short Saturday, as it fell to the University of Sioux Falls 3-2. With the loss the Mavericks fall to 8-10 overall with a mark of 4-7 on the circuit.
 
"I thought we came out playing pretty well, we ran into a serving slump in the third set, said head coach Dennis Amundson. "We were unable to gain the momentum back, the kids fought hard throughout the match, but the hill was too large to overcome. We will goback and regroup and see what happens on Tuesday evening."
 
The Mavericks started hot in the first set, collectively posting a .462 hitting percentage and were led by junior Tiana Runck and freshman Lexi Platz, who each recorded three kills on four attempts with no attacking errors, earning the 25-16 win.
 
The MSU offensive attack stayed strong in the second set as the Mavericks posted 18 kills on 30 attempts with three attacking errors for a .500 hitting percentage. MSU was led by Platz, who tallied five kills in the set.
 
USF would regroup at intermission and take the third set 25-23, as the Cougars started clawing away at the Maverick lead. MSU only recorded 10 kills in the third set with eight attacking errors.
 
The Mavericks would drop the fourth set, 25-18 leveling the match at two sets each. MSU was led in the set by freshman Krista Hassing who posted three kills and boasted a .500 attacking percentage.
 
The Cougars would take the fifth set 15-11, earning the 3-2 win as the Mavericks were only able to record eight kills on 22 attempts with seven attacking errors in the deciding set.
 
MSU was led by Platz and sophomore Chandra Honebrink, who each tallied 13 kills in the match. Runck and Hassing would also reach double-digit kills with 12 and 11 respectively.
 
The Mavericks will return to action Tuesday as they host No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul, opening serve is slated for 7 p.m.