MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team fell in straight sets to #11 Winona State, 3-0 (14-25, 22-25, 24-26), in the NSIC home opening match at Taylor Center Thursday evening. 

With the loss, Minnesota State falls to 6-3 overall and 0-1 NSIC. Winona State improves to 7-3 overall with a 1-0 NSIC record. 
 
In the opening frame, Minnesota State earned the first two points before Winona State scored nine of the next eleven to jump out to an early 9-4 lead.  The Warriors would string together a large run with a strong serving performance from Danielle Rampart to win the first set 25-14 over the Mavericks.  Morgan Olson led Minnesota State in the first set with four kills.  

In the second set, the Mavericks and Warriors traded points as both teams found themselves tied at 10. Winona State began to seize control of frame with a four point, 20-16, edge to force a Minnesota State timeout. The Mavericks fell in the second frame, 25-22. Through the first two sets Autumn Risch and Micayla Porter each had ten assists to lead Minnesota State. 

In the third and final set, the Mavericks fought back with a quick 7-4 advantage after a Risch service ace. The Warriors then stole their first lead of the frame, 10-9, with the use of a Rampart kill. Minnesota State responded with a 3-0 run highlighted by a Sydney Powell kill to make the score 12-10. Later in the set, both teams found themselves deadlocked at 22. Winona State then closed out Minnesota State with a 4-2 run to seal the 26-24 win and 3-0 match victory.  

As a team, the Warriors held the edge in kills (44-32), digs (54-46), and assists (41-29).

Powell led the Mavericks with a match-high 13 kills to go along with nine digs.  Porter (14) and Risch (14) both reached double digits in assists. Freshman Mara Quam rounded out the top performers with a team-best 16 digs.
 
Minnesota State returns to action when it travels to Upper Iowa on Saturday. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m.