The Minnesota Sate volleyball team (12-13, 7-10 NSIC) hosted the MSU Moorhead volleyball team (5-20, 5-12 NSIC) on senior night where the Mavericks defeated the Dragons in a 3-0 sweep Friday Evening at Taylor Center (26-24, 25-9, 25-13).
The Mavericks took a back and forth first set, 26-24. The Mavericks were dominant in set two as they ran away with it, with a final score of 25-9. From here, the Mavericks were in cruise control as they had thwarted any offensive threat from MSU Moorhead and dominated set three with a 25-13 win over the Dragons.
Set Breakdown
Set 1: The Mavericks and Dragons would trade runs in set one as it was a back and forth tilt. With Mavericks trailing 2-1 to begin the set sophomore Ellie Danielson started a 5-0 run for the Mavericks with a kill. The Mavericks would get to a 8-4 lead and then the Dragons would go on a 4-0 streak to knot it up at eight all. The Mavericks would regain some control of the set as they took a slim three point advantage after a kill by freshman Toryn Richards at 16-13. The Dragons would answer the bell as they reeled off a 7-2 run to take a small lead at 20-18. The Mavericks would stay alive in the set after an attack error by the Dragons to keep them within two facing set point. With their backs against the wall the Mavericks would go on a 4-0 run to steal the set from the Dragons with a powerful put down by freshman Kiya Durant to win set one 26-24.
Set 2: After a sluggish start by the Mavericks they were ready to take control of this match for good. With the score even at two after a Dragon service error the Mavericks would accelerate rapidly with a whopping 11-1 run aided by six errors by the Dragons. The Mavericks led 13-3. With the Dragons reeling, the Mavericks would charge ahead. They would increase their lead to a 21-5 margin after a kill by Durant. The Mavericks would cruise to victory in set two as they ended it on a 5-2 run with a final of 25-9.
Set 3: With the match seemingly in control by the Mavericks, they exerted their dominance over the Dragons in set three. The Mavericks offense would go into overdrive. With a slim 4-3 lead, the Mavericks proceeded to put down a 7-0 run to increase the margin to eight with a 11-3 lead. The Dragons would try and nip back at the Mavericks but, their fire had been extinguished. Once again, Durant would spark a run. The Mavericks would tear off a 6-0 run to a large margin of 11 at 19-8. The dragons would get within seven but, that was as close as they would get. The Mavericks would once again end the set and this time the match on a 5-0 run with a final of 25-13 and a 3-0 sweep of the Dragons.
The Mavericks had three players reach double digit digs as Mara Quam (16), Dana Schindler (15) and Brenna Hesse (10) all had ten or more. Freshman Toryn Richards would lead the Mavericks in kills with 12 and hit at .313. Senior Dana Schindler had a match high 33 digs this evening. As a team, the Mavericks hit .273 with 42 kills, 6 aces, 58 digs and 11 blocks. The Dragons as a team, hit .000 with 21 kills, 5 aces, 48 digs and 7 blocks.
The Mavericks hit the court again tomorrow, for their final home match in the 2021 season as they host the Wolves of Northern State in another NSIC match with first serve scheduled for 2:00 p.m., at Taylor Center.
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