ST. CLOUD, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team dropped a 3-2 (26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 15-25, 11-15) decision at St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, Minnesota State drops its second straight contest and falls to 9-8 (3-6 NSIC) overall. With the win, St. Cloud State improves to 12-7 (4-5 NSIC) on the season.

The Huskies jumped out to a quick 12-7 advantage early in the first frame. Minnesota State pushed back to lock the frame at 18 after a crucial block from Megan Hulscher and Ashton Lee. The Mavericks then established a two point, 22-20, advantage following a Micayla Porter service ace. Minnesota State went on to take the first set, 26-24.

In the second frame, the Mavericks took control with an 8-5 lead after a service error. Minnesota State continued to apply pressure creating a six point, 16-10, edge. St. Cloud State retaliated to pull within one later in the set, 22-21, with the help of an Abby Templin kill. However, Minnesota State held off the late push and won the second frame, 25-22.

Following intermission, the Huskies rapidly doubled up the Mavericks to make the score 8-4. St. Cloud State then stretched its advantage to 17-10 to force a Minnesota State timeout. The Mavericks responded with a 7-0 run which featured three service aces from Joie Veldman to lock the stanza at 17. Both teams went on trade points until the Huskies got the final two points to steal the frame, 25-23.

In the fourth set, St. Cloud State rode momentum to open up a 12-4 lead. The Huskies continued to find an offensive stride increasing their advantage into the double-digits, 19-9. St. Cloud State closed out the fourth frame, 25-15, and tied the match, 2-2.

In the deciding fifth and final set, Minnesota State took an early one point advantage, 3-2, after a Jackie Jones kill and Husky ball handling error. St. Cloud State attacked back with a 6-1 run to double up the Mavericks, 8-4, late in the stanza. The Mavericks then used a 4-0 run of their own highlighted by a Morgan Olson kill to deadlock the score, 8-8. The Huskies once again rattled off three unanswered points to make the score 12-9. St. Cloud State outlasted the Mavericks, 15-11, and won the match, 3-2.

Minnesota State held the edge in assists (53-52) while St. Cloud State held the advantage in kills (58-54) and digs (80-77)

Porter posted a match-high 28 assists while junior Autumn Risch contributed 21. Freshman Alivia Garbe reached double-figures win both digs (17) and kills (11). Olson also reached double-digits in both digs (16) and kills (12). Freshman Mara Quam totaled a team-best 19 digs to round out the top performers.

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Oct. 13. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.