Louisville, Ky.--- The Minnesota State (7-1) volleyball team won a pair of matches with a sweep over Virginia State (1-6), 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 25-13) and come from behind win over host Bellarmine University (4-3) 3-2 (20-25, 14-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-8), Saturday, at the Bellarmine Invitational.
In the first set of the game between Minnesota State and Virginia State, the Mavericks quickly jumped out to a 10-2 lead. The Trojans couldn't narrow the gap and ultimately Minnesota State took the first set 25-11.
The Mavericks didn't let off in the second set and despite the Trojans keeping the set close through the first few points, Minnesota State went on to win 25-12, taking a 2-0 match lead. The third set proved to be much of the same as the Mavericks cruised to a 25-13 set with to sweep the match.
Freshman outside hitter
Jessica Nelson led all players with 10 kills while
Alivia Garbe and
Anissa Janzig each recorded nine kills.
Dana Schindler recorded a match high 37 assists for the Mavericks.
The second match saw the Mavericks drop the first set to the host Bellarmine University Knights 25-18. In the second set the Knights were able to find early momentum once again and took an early 9-2 lead over the Mavericks. Despite a late run from Minnesota State, Bellarmine took the set 25-14.
In the third set the Knights once again got out to an early 8-2 lead before the Mavericks responded with a 6-1 run to cut the Bellarmine lead to 9-8. Minnesota State kept the pressure on for the remainder of the set, closing it out with a 17-9 run.
The Mavericks serve in the fourth set kept the Knights on their heels, with aces from
Garbe,
Mara Quam, and
Ashton Lee. Minnesota State held off a late run from Bellarmine in the set and tied the match at 2-2 with a 25-23 set win, forcing a fifth set.
In the deciding fifth set, the Mavericks maintained the momentum gained in the comeback and kept the Knights scrambling en-route to the 15-8 win, securing the 3-2 match win.
Garbe led the offense with 21 kills while Schindler recorded 49 assists.
Quam finished with 15 digs to lead the way for Minnesota State.
Minnesota State will begin NSIC play next weekend with a trip to Bemidji, Minn., to face off with the Beavers Friday, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, the Mavericks travel to Crookston, Minn., to take on the Golden Eagles at 2:00 p.m.
