MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team came up short against No. 7 Northern State, 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18), Saturday afternoon at Taylor Center.
  
With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 13-13 (7-11 NSIC) on the season. With the win, the Wolves improve to 22-4 (15-3 NSIC) overall. 

Northern State scored the first four points of the match and quickly doubled up Minnesota State, 10-5. The Mavericks responded with a 5-0 run which consisted of four Wolves errors and a Jackie Jones kill. Northern State then built a five point, 20-15,edge  to force Minnesota State to use a timeout. The Mavericks would not be able to slow the Wolves and dropped the first set, 25-21. 

In the second frame, both teams went back and forth before Northern State was able to create a 14-11 advantage by the halfway point. The Mavericks retaliated with a 3-0 run to lock the frame at 14. The run was highlighted by an Alivia Garbe kill and Mara Quam service ace. The Wolves then constructed a 6-0 of their own to take control of the frame, 20-14. Northern State went on to take the second set, 25-17. 

In the third and final set, Northern State started fast with a 10-4 lead. Both teams continued to battle as Minnesota State drew within two, 17-15, after Morgan Olson delivered a kill past the Wolves defense. However, the Mavericks could not get any closer and went on to drop the set, 25-18, and the match, 3-0. 

As a team, Northern State held the edge in kills (44-37), assists (39-34), and digs (54-39). 

Garbe and Jones led the Mavericks with 10 kills and six digs each. Freshman Micayla Porter passed out a team-best 17 assists while freshman Quam added a team-high nine digs. 

Minnesota State returns to action on Nov. 10 at Minot State. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.