DETROIT, Mich. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team picked up a pair of wins after coming back to down Gannon, 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-10, 25-22, 15-12), and then cruising past Ohio Dominican, 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-17), Saturday afternoon at the Warrior Invitational.
 
With the wins, Minnesota State opens its season 3-1 including two shutout victories.
 
In match one, Minnesota State came back to down Gannon, 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-10, 25-22, 15-12), after winning the final three sets. The Golden Knights quickly doubled up the Mavericks with an 8-4 edge to gain momentum and force Minnesota State to use a timeout. MSU battled back to draw within one, 10-9, after a Gannon attack error. The Golden Knights then stretched their advantage to five, 20-15. The Mavericks responded late with three straight points highlighted by an Alivia Garbe kill to make the score 22-20.  However, Gannon went on to win the opening set, 25-21. 

In the second frame after exchanging points, Micayla Porter set up Sydney Powell for the kill to lock the frame up at eight. Gannon retaliated with 3-0 run to make the score 11-8. The Golden Knights then rode momentum establishing their largest lead of the set, 20-15.  Later in the frame, Powell smashed two straight kills to pull the Mavericks within two, 22-20. Minnesota State could not get any closer as Gannon picked up the 25-22 victory. 

In the third frame, the Mavericks sprinted out a 9-3 lead following a block by Anissa Janzig and Powell. Minnesota State then increased its lead into the double-digits, 16-5, after Porter was once again able set up Powell for a kill. The Mavericks went on to cruise to a 25-10 win. 

Minnesota State was able to take advantage of a fast start creating an 8-3 edge forcing Gannon into a timeout. The Mavericks continued to apply pressure stretching their advantage to 11-5 with a Janzig kill. Minnesota State put the frame out of reach with three straight kills from Powell and Jackie Jones to make the score 21-13. The Mavericks went on to take the set, 25-22, and lock the match, 2-2. 

In the deciding fifth frame, both teams battled tying the set three times. Minnesota State  took control creating a three point edge, 13-10, with two service aces fromMorgan Olson and a Gannon attack error. The Mavericks went on to win the set, 15-12, and the match, 3-2, to complete the comeback. 

Minnesota State held the edge in kills (62-50), assists (57-48), and digs (70-67). Each team recorded 12 blocks. 

Powell set the standard with a match-high 27 kills and added 14 digs. Redshirt freshman Ashton Lee also reached double-digits in kills with 14 while freshman Mara Quam added a team-best 22 digs. Junior Autumn Risch dished a team-high 30 assists and Porter rounded out the top performers with 19 assists. 

In match two, Minnesota State cruised past Ohio Dominican, 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-17). MSU wasted little time creating a five point, 10-5, advantage with the help of Porter setting up Olson for a kill. The Mavericks kept their foot on the gas stretching the lead to 14-9 following a Lee kill. Minnesota State put the frame out of reach growing its edge into the double-digits, 22-11, on the way to winning the opening set, 25-11.
 
The Mavericks picked up where they left off in set two establishing a 13-8 lead with a Lee kill. Ohio Dominican attempted to climb back cutting the lead down four, 15-11. Minnesota State then pushed its advantage to 21-14 after Quam was able to set up Jones for a kill. The Mavericks went on to win the frame, 25-21. 

In the third and final set, neither team was able to pull away until Minnesota State found an offensive rhythm creating a 13-7 edge. The Mavericks continued to find success growing their lead to nine, 23-14, after Janzig smashed her fifth kill of the match. Minnesota State went on to close out the set, 25-17, and win the match, 3-0. 
As a team, the Mavericks held the edge in kills (34-27), assists (29-26), and digs (41-39). 

Lee set the pace with a match-high nine kills while Olson added seven. Garbe notched a match-best 15 digs while Risch and Porter both totaled 12 assists each. 

Minnesota State returns to action when it travels to Bismarck, S.D., to play in the Max & Erma's Classic. The Mavericks will open the tournament against Minot State on Sept. 8. First serve is set for 2:30 p.m.