MINOT, N.D. --- Freshman Micayla Porter handed out a season-high 34 assists as  Minnesota State topped Minot State, 3-1 (25-15, 25-17, 21-25, 25-9), Friday evening. 

With the win, Minnesota State improves to 14-13 (8-11 NSIC) on the season. With the loss, Minot State drops to 5-23 (1-18 NSIC) overall. 

The Mavericks didn't waste time doubling up the Beavers, 6-3, in the opening moments. Minnesota State then took control pushing its lead to 15-9 following a Jackie Jones kill to force a Minot State timeout. Following the break, the Mavericks used a 4-0 run to open up a 10 point, 19-9, edge after a Beaver attack error. Minnesota State went on to win the frame, 25-19. Alivia Garbe, Morgan Olson, and Anissa Janzig paced the Mavericks with four kills each. 

Both teams battled in the second stanza to find themselves deadlocked at 10. The Mavericks then responded with a critical 4-0 run highlighted by a Porter service ace. She currently leads the Mavericks in service aces and ranks second in the NSIC. Minnesota State then increased its advantage to 19-13 after a Beaver attack error. The Mavericks went on to take the second frame, 25-17. 

At the intermission, Minnesota State held the edge in kills (27-17), assists (26-14), and digs (24-22). 

In the third frame, both teams once again were locked at 9 after trading points. Minot State then found an offensive rhythm creating its largest lead of the match, 15-12. Minnesota State retaliated to tie the stanza at 16 following a Garbe kill. Minot State answered to create three point advantage, 20-17. The Beavers went on to steal the set, 25-21. 

In the fourth and final set, the Mavericks started fast on a 5-0 run with two kills contributed by Garbe. Minnesota State kept its foot on the gas doubling up Minot State, 10-5, following an attack error. The Mavericks then stretched their lead to 15-8 with a Jones kill. Minnesota State went on close out the frame, 25-9, and win the match, 3-1. 

As a team, the Mavericks held the edge kills (58-37), assists (54-34), and digs (55-53). Minnesota State also posted a .357 hitting percentage in comparison to Minot State's .132. 

Porter led the Mavericks with a match-best and season-high 34 assists. Olson also posted a season-high 17 kills to go along with a .429 hitting percentage. Garbe reached double digits in kills with 14 while Mara Quam added a team-best 19 digs on the defensive end. 

Minnesota State will return to action tomorrow at U-Mary. First serve is set for 4:00 p.m.