Mankato, Minn. –  The Minnesota State volleyball team beat Upper Iowa Tuesday night in four sets by the scores of 25-16, 25-18, 19-25 and 25-22.

With the win, the Mavericks record improves to 12-6 overall and 8-3 in the conference. 

In set one, the Mavericks jumped out to an early 9-2 advantage over the Peacocks. MSU was able to keep its lead as it took the first set over UIU, 25-16. Sophomore middle blocker Krista Hassing led the Mavericks with five kills as freshman outside hitter Sydney Powell wasn't far behind with four kills and a .571 attack percentage. Junior setter Ellie Van De Steeg posted 13 assists in the set.

Once again, the Mavericks in set two jumped out to an early 10-3 lead over the Peacocks before UIU was able to cut the lead to five, 21-16. However the Mavericks were able to hold on to their lead as they took the second set, 25-18. Hassing and senior outside hitter Chandra Honebrink each posted four kills as Van De Steeg added another 11 helpers.

In the third set, the Mavericks were tied with the Peacocks at 5-5 before UIU was able to go on a 8-1 run to make the score 13-6. The Mavericks were able to cut into the Peacocks lead as much as one at 20-19, before UIU went on a 5-0 run to finish the set at 25-19. Powell led the Mavericks with four kills as Hassing had another three kills.
 
In the fourth and final set, MSU was down 13-8 to the Peacocks before the Mavericks were eventually able to tie it up with UIU at 20-20. In the end the Purple and Gold went on to take the set and match at 25-22.  In the set, Honebrink and Powell each posted four kills, with Van De Steeg chipping in with another 13 assists.

Pacing the Maverick offense was Hassing with 15 total kills to go along with her three total blocks. Powell and Honebrink added 12 and 10 kills, respectively, while Van De Steeg had a match-high 44 assists. Defensively, it was sophomore libero Haley Fogarty leading the Mavericks with 34 digs. 

The next time the Mavericks hit the court will be on Friday afternoon against #12 Wayne State. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. at Taylor Center