Mankato, Minn.-  The Minnesota State volleyball team picked up a conference win Saturday evening over #19 Augustana University at Taylor Center. The Mavericks defeated the Vikings in four sets (25-18, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21).

Junior Lexi Platz [Lafayette, Minn.] gave the Mavericks a offensive boost in the match as she posted a career-high 18 kills, to go along with a .286 attack percentage. Junior Krista Hassing [Blue Earth, Minn.] finished right behind with 16 kills of her own with a .306 attack percentage and also added two service aces.

In set one MSU built an early 7-3 lead over the AU, thanks in part to Platz as she posted three kills in that span. The Maverick eventually grew their lead even more later on in the set to six, 15-9, and would go on to win the first set, 25-18. Platz finished the set with seven kills and a .778 attack percentage, while Hassing tallied four kills and a .429 attack percentage.

In frame two the Vikings took control early as they built a 6-2 lead over the Mavericks. MSU answered right back with a run of its own, as the Mavericks tied the set up at 12-12 midway through. However the Vikings quickly regained control as they went on a 7-2 run to push AU's lead to 19-14 over MSU. That run proved to be the difference as the Vikings took set two over the Mavericks, 25-19. Hassing added another five kills, while Platz and freshman Nevena Vukomanovich [Maplewood, Minn.] each posted four kills in set two.

In set three, Augie again took an early 5-1 lead over the Mavericks, but MSU answered right back with a 4-0 run to tie the set up at 5-5. The Vikings regained control right after that point after they rallied off the next three points to give them an 8-5 advantage. Augie would hold on to its lead for the majority of the set before MSU tied it back it up at 18-18. From that point on, the Mavericks outscored the Vikings 7-2 to give them the 25-20 set three victory. Sophomore Vikolia Meade [Solon, Iowa] led MSU in the set with five kills, as Hassing collected another four kills in the set.

In the fourth and final set it was more of the same as the Vikings built an early 7-4 advantage over the Mavericks. Augie was still leading 11-7 before the MSU went on another quick 4-0 run to tie the set up at 11-11. Both teams would trade point for point as the set was still tied at 21-21. After a MSU timeout, the Mavericks scored the next four points in the match to give them the 25-21 set and match win. Platz again ended set four with seven kills, while Hassing and junior Sydney Geisness [St. Croix Falls, Wis.] each added three kills in the set.

As a team MSU accumulated a .271 attack percentage, five service aces and five total team blocks in the win.

Geisness and Meade each finished the match with eight kills, while Geisness collected a .571 attack percentage and Meade led the Mavericks with four total blocks in the victory. 

Senior setter Ellie Van De Steeg [Hutchinson, Minn.] once again led MSU with 49 assists and also added 11 digs to her stat line. Junior Haley Fogarty [Belle Plaine, Minn.] paced the Mavericks with 20 digs, while freshman Maddie Keute [Grand Rapids, Minn.] recorded 11 digs. Lastly, junior Rissi McNallan [Andover, Minn.] finished the match with eight digs and two service aces.

With the win the Mavericks overall record improves to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in NSIC play.

MSU will return to action on Friday and next Saturday at Taylor Center. The Purple and Gold will square off with Minot State on Friday at 7:00 p.m., before they set their sights on the University of Mary next Saturday at 4:00 p.m.