Mankato, Minn. - The Minnesota State volleyball team began NSIC play with a five set, come from behind win (25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12) over Winona State Thursday night at Taylor Center.

MSU took set one over WSU before the Warriors stormed back and took the next two sets to give WSU the 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set. The Mavericks rallied back in sets four and five and were able to pick up the conference win over the Warriors.

With the win the Mavericks push their overall record to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in NSIC play.

In set one it was a block party for MSU led by sophomore middle blocker Vikolia Meade [Solon, Iowa] who recorded four solo blocks of her own in the set. The beginning of the set was back and forth until MSU found some breathing room to take a 13-11 lead over WSU. After a Warriors timeout, the Mavericks kept their foot on the gas pedal as they built a 23-17 lead and eventually took the set at 25-21.

In the second set, WSU built a 9-6 lead over MSU which forced the Mavericks to take a timeout. Immediately after the timeout the Mavericks went on a 3-0 run to tie the set back up. MSU  would eventually take the lead, 12-10 and would hold steady until WSU retook the momentum and the lead at 22-21. The Warriors kept their lead and won set two 25-22. Junior middle blocker Krista Hassing [Blue Earth, Minn.] tallied five kills in the set, while juniors Sydney Geisness [St. Croix Falls, Wis.] and Courtney Anderson [Tripoli, Iowa] each recorded four kills of their own.

The Mavericks quickly regained the momentum in set three as MSU took an early 5-1 lead over WSU. However, the Warriors fought their way back into the set and would eventually tie it at 9-9. WSU took control the rest of way through the set with the 25-22 third set win, even though the Mavericks posted a .308 attack percentage while the Warriors accumulated a .172 attack percentage.

In set four it was more of the same, both teams fighting point for point as the score was tied up late in the set at 23-23. MSU was able to grab the last two points  to take the set and force a set five, after WSU tallied a service error and an attack error.

In the fifth and final set it was tied up at 9-9 before the Mavericks built some room for themselves as they took the next two points to give them a 11-9 lead. That 2-0 run proved to be the difference as the Mavericks took the fifth set and match over the Warriors. The last point in the match was finished off with a service ace from freshman defensive specialist Maddie Keute [Grand Rapids, Minn.].

Overall the Mavericks out hit the Warriors percentage-wise as MSU recorded a .249 attack percentage while WSU posted a .207 attack percentage. The Purple and Gold also tallied 11 total team blocks, compared to WSU's two total blocks.

Pacing the Maverick offense was Hassing as she tied her career-high of 23 kills for the third time this season. Hassing was also able to post a .383 attack percentage, seven digs and two service aces. Anderson notched a career-high as well in the match as she posted 14 kills, four total blocks and a team-high .440 attack percentage.

Geisness added eight kills and 12 digs, while freshman outside hitter Nevena Vukomanovich [Maplewood, Minn.] added seven kills to her stat line. 

Senior setter Ellie Van De Steeg [Hutchinson, Minn.] posted a match-high 55 assists and nine digs of her own. Keute and junior defensive specialist Rissi McNallan [Andover, Minn.] each tallied 12 digs in the win.

Last but not least, junior libero Haley Fogarty [Belle Plaine, Minn.] reached the 1,000 career digs milestone in the win as she posted a match-high 24 digs. Fogarty becomes the 11th member to join the 1,000 career digs club at MSU and she now joins her sister Chelsea Fogarty and cousin Cassie Wolpern on the list.

The Mavericks will return to action on Saturday as they travel to Fayette, Iowa to take on Upper Iowa. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.