Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team (16-8, 9-6 NSIC) fell to the Upper Iowa University volleyball team (11-12, 6-9 NSIC) today in NSIC competition at Taylor Center. The Peacocks defeated the Mavericks by a score of 3-1 (21-25, 18-25, 25-20, 13-25).

Set one, saw the Peacocks take a sizable lead early in the set with a score of 9-4. The Mavericks would fight back and get within two nearing the mid-point of the set at 10-8. The Peacocks would take the next four out of six points before the Mavericks offense would ignite and go on a 5-1 run to tie the set up at 15 all. The Mavericks would keep pace before they would go on a 3-0 run to tie it at 21 late. After a Maverick service error, the Peacocks would go on a 4-0 run to close out set one with a final of 25-21.

The Peacocks would come out in an offensive furry in set two speeding to a 7-1 lead. The Peacocks would lead by as much as eight two times in set two. With the score at 20-12 the Mavericks tried and find some offensive fire power and narrowed the gap to five late in set two with a score of 21-16. The Peacocks would end the set on a 4-2 run and down the Mavericks in set two with a final score of 25-18.

The Mavericks jumped up on the Peacocks in set three as they started with a 3-0 run out of the break. The Peacocks would quickly respond with a 4-0 run to take the slim advantage. With the score at a 6-5 Peacock lead the Mavericks offense would erupt and go on an 8-2 run ignited by a sophomore Ellie Danielson kill to put the Mavericks up 13-8. The Mavericks would increase their lead by as much as five late in the set at 22-17. The Mavericks would end the set on a 3-1 run a claim victory in set 3, 25-20.

The Mavericks looked to even things up in set four but, the Peacocks had a different idea. The Peacocks started set four with a blazing 9-1 run. The Mavericks had little to answer. With the score 12-3, the Mavericks found a little push to get within five with a 5-1 run started with a kill by junior Jessica Nelson. The Mavericks got the score to a 13-8 Peacock lead. The Peacocks were not going to let this one slip away as they once again went on a tear. The Peacocks ripped of a 7-1 run and increased their lead to 11 with a score of 20-9. The Peacocks would go on a 4- 1 run to end the set with a 25-13 victory and a 3-1 win of the match.

The Maverick offense was led by junior Jessica Nelson who totaled 15 kills and 17 digs defensively this afternoon. She was aided in this offensive effort by senior Dana Schindler who had 22 assists in the contest. Freshman Kiya Durant added 5 blocks also in the defensive effort.

The Mavericks return to the floor next week with a trifecta of matches starting with a road trip to Winona, Minn., as they take on the #11 Winona State Warriors Wednesday, November 3rd with first serve at 6:00 p.m. Then, the Mavericks return home for their final two home Matches of the year. Friday, November 5th the Mavericks host MSU Moorhead at Taylor Center with first serve slated for 6:00 p.m., Then, the Mavericks wrap up their home schedule with a match against Northern State Saturday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m.