Miami, Fla.--- The Minnesota State (2-0) volleyball team began its season with a sweep against American International (0-1), 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-18) and a win over Saint Leo (0-1) 3-2 (25-20, 26-24, 19-25, 20-25, 15-11), Friday at the Barry University Classic.
The first set saw the teams keep the score tight until the Mavericks separated things by pushing out to a 14-10 lead. The Yellow Jackets fought back with an 8-2 run to take the lead before Minnesota State re-took the lead and the set 25-23.
Set two saw American International take the first lead, 9-6, forcing Minnesota State to take a timeout. The Mavericks came out of the timeout and went on a 19-10 run to finish the set and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
The third set was much of the same as Minnesota State cruised to a 25-18 win and sweep of the match.
Morgan Olson led all players with 18 kills while adding six blocks and eight digs.
Dana Schindler setup the offense with 35 assists and
Mara Quam led the way on defense with 13 digs.
The second match saw Minnesota State face off with the Saint Leo Lions. Both teams traded points until the Mavericks final pulled away with a 6-1 run to take the set 25-20.
In the second set neither team found any separation until Saint Leo found themselves with a 24-23 edge. Minnesota State rallied for three straight points to close out the second set 26-24, earning itself a 2-0 match lead.
The Lions fought back in the third set and were able to maintain a lead the entire time, winning the set 25-19.
In the fourth set Saint Leo once again got out to an early lead, taking as much as a 17-12 advantage. Minnesota State fought back into the lead, but it proved to much and the Lions took the set 25-20 to force a fifth and final set.
The Mavericks found the early edge in the fifth set, and thanks to a 3-0 run behind the serving of
Mariah Edgington, Minnesota State pulled away and held on for the 15-11 win, and the 3-2 match win.
Olson again led all players with a career high 28 kills while adding five digs and two blocks. Her 28 kills ties four other Mavericks, Jen Jacobs, Krista Hassing, Kari Spang and Ashley Nachreiner for the fourth most in a single match in Maverick history.
Alivia Garbe and
Alivia Garbe contributed 18 and 13 kills respectively in the win.
Schindler led the way with a career high 57 assists while
Quam tallied 22 digs.
Minnesota State will continue play tomorrow in the Barry University Classic facing off against Saint Anselm at 2:00 p.m., (CST) and host Barry University at 6:00 p.m. (CST).
