Box Score Fayette, Iowa --- The Minnesota State volleyball team improved to 6-3 overall with a mark of 2-0 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) as the Mavericks downed Upper Iowa University 3-2, Saturday afternoon.

"Congratulations to our players, they found a way to grind it out," stated head coach Dennis Amundson. "All of the sets were close and hard fought. It was a total team effort. A lot of players stepped up at different times to make contributions. We built some momentum at the end and came away with a win over another young team on their home court."

Both team's offenses got off to a slow start, but the Peacocks were able to capture the first set 25-22 while posting a .194 hitting percentage, compared to the Mavericks' .146. Sophomore Chandra Honebrink posted a set-high six kills.

The second set of the match featured an offensive outpouring as MSU claimed set two, 25-20 while  posting a .484 hitting percentage and recording 17 kills in the set, led by junior Jenna McNallan who tallied eight kills.

The Peacocks regained control of the match taking the third set by a score of 25-16, while hitting .467 as a unit.

The Mavericks found themselves down 2-1 entering the fourth set, when junior Olivia Kuker led the MSU comeback posting four
kills, lifting the Mavericks to a 25-21 win, bringing the match to a 2-2 tie, forcing a fifth set.

MSU was able to claim match taking the fifth set by a score of 15-9, earning the 3-2 victory. The Mavericks were in the set by Honebrink who posted three kills.

McNallan led the Maverick offense with 16 kills while hitting .467, Honebrink posted 15 kills and junior Tiana Runck was able to contribute 12 kills to the winning effort. Sophomore Ellie Van De Steeg dished out 49 helpers in the match.

The Mavericks will return to action Tuesday, as they take on No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul, in St. Paul. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.