WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota State volleyball team (11-13, 6-10 NSIC) traveled to Winona, Minn., Wednesday night to take on the #8 ranked Winona State volleyball team (22-3, 13-3 NSIC). The Mavericks were defeated by the Warriors in three straight sets (13-25, 19-25, 11-25).
The Warriors offense exploded on to the scene in set one. They started the set off with a 6-2 run to take the early advantage. The Mavericks would take the next point but, the Warriors had no intention of letting up as they proceeded to go on an 8-1 run to create a 10 point spread with a score of 14-4. The Mavericks offense sputtered as they were only able to get as close as nine the rest of the set. After a kill from sophomore Ellie Danielson the Warriors would go on a 5-2 run and close out set one with a 25-13 victory.
Neither team in the beginning of set two could find offensive consistency as they both traded points to an early 7-7 tie. The Mavericks showed some resiliency as they battled the tough Warriors offense as they eventually gained a one point lead at 15-14 from an attack error by the Warriors. The Mavericks and Warriors would exchange another pair of 2-0 runs to square the set up at 18 all. From there, the Warriors would turn it up a notch and go on a 7-1 run to claim victory in set two with a score of 25-19 and a take two set lead.
With the Mavericks finding some semblance of offense in set two, they looked to dig themselves out of a tough hole. The Warriors however had other ideas. The Warriors offense continued the hot offensive attack out of the set break and took a quick 4-1 lead. The Mavericks would fight back as they kept the match within three with a kill by sophomore Morgan Ellis to make the score 5-8. The Warriors offense was not going to let up as they ripped off five unanswered points to take a substantial 13-5 lead. The Mavericks from here, would struggle to find anymore offense as the Warriors would extend their lead by 11 with a score of 18-7. After a successful block by junior Jessica Nelson the Mavericks were back within 10 of the Warriors but, they would not get any closer. The Warriors closed out set three and the match with a 7-3 run to win set three with a final of 25-11 and a 3-0 sweep of the Mavericks.
The Mavericks offensive effort was led by junior Jessica Nelson and freshman Toryn Richards who both accumulated 7 kills in the match. Their effort was aided by senior setter Dana Schindler who had 19 assists this evening. Defensively, the Mavericks were once again led in digs by senior Mara Quam who had 13 in the contest. Additionally, sophomore Ellie Danielson had 5 blocks.
The Mavericks hit the floor again this weekend as they return home for their final home stand of the season. Friday, November 5th the Mavericks host MSU Moorhead on senior night at Taylor Center with first serve set for 6:00 p.m. Then, on Saturday, November 6th the Mavericks take on Northern State at Taylor Center with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m.
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