The Minnesota State volleyball team (3-2, 0-0 NSIC) returned to action early this morning as they took on Quincy University (1-4, 0-0 GLVC) in day one of the Hampton Inn Invitational hosted by UW-Parkside in Kenosha, Wis. The Mavericks prevailed in another five set match with a 3-2 victory over the Hawks (25-23, 15-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14).
The Mavericks fell behind quickly to the Hawks ten to five prompting Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps to take a timeout. The Mavericks would mount the comeback and then some, as they claimed a 21-15 lead late in set one. The Mavericks would withstand a late 3-0 run and win set one 25-23. Set two saw the Mavericks trip out of the blocks as the Hawks jolted to a 19-10 lead before the Mavericks took a timeout. From there the Hawks didn't look back and handedly took set two 25-15
Unlike set two, set three saw a back and forth battle between both squads going point for point to a 11-11 tie. The Hawks were just too much as they took control of the set and jumped out to a 17-13 lead. The Mavericks would close the gap to two but, wouldn't get any closer and fell in set three 25-19. On the brink of defeat the Mavericks dug their heels in for set four. After another tightly contested start to a set both teams worked to a 14-14 tie. From there, the Mavericks took the lead and never trailed again and won set four 25-22.
The Mavericks once again found themselves in a heated match. It was tied most of the set and the Mavericks found themselves down 13-14 before going on a 3-0 run and taking set five and grinded out the victory.
"Although I'm not thrilled we went five (sets) again, our ability to play under pressure continues to improve." Said Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps. "We need to do a better job at making our opponents earn their points while attacking in every phase of the match."
Junior Mariah Edgington tallied 22 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Brooke Bolwerk and senior Dana Schindler had 24 and 23 assists respectively. Freshman Kiya Durant and sophomore Ellie Danielson both contributed 5 blocks in the contest.
In game two of the day the Minnesota State volleyball team (3-2, 0-0 NSIC) squared off against Colorado Christian University (2-4, 0-0 RMAC) to cap off a victorious day one of the Hampton Inn Invitational. The Mavericks defeated the Cougars 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 13-25, 25-15).
The Mavericks jumped up on the Cougars quickly. They got out to a 9-5 lead but, the Cougars were just getting started. From there the Cougars proceeded to go on a 6-0 run and take an 11-9 advantage. After a Minnesota State timeout it was all Mavericks. They worked it to a 15-15 tie and then the Mavericks allowed two more points the rest of the set and won set one 25-17. In the second set, the Mavericks never trailed the Cougars. The Mavericks led by as much as eight multiple times throughout the set. It was easy sailing as the Mavericks coasted to a 25-16 set two win.
In set three the Cougars dominated the Mavericks. The Mavericks got within five of the Cougars but, two late 4-0 runs by the Cougars catapulted them to an overwhelming 25-13 win of set three. The Mavericks with the hopes of not playing another five set match clobbered the Cougars early in set four and never looked back. The Mavericks never trailed in this set either as four 4-0 runs in the set propelled the Mavericks to a dominating victory in the set 25-15 as well as the match.
"Proud of the way we played our game in three sets today" said Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps after the match. "We still have some work to do to stay disciplined from start to finish" he also noted. Coach Phelps also thought it was a very solid say one of the tourney.
The Mavericks had three players tally double digit kills in the victory. Sophomore Ellie Danielson, junior Mariah Edgington and freshman Kiya Durant had 12,11 and 10 kills to lead the way for the team. Senior Dana Schindler led the team with 21 assists in the contest and senior Mara Quam accumulated 19 digs.
The Mavericks return to action tomorrow in day 2 of the Hampton Inn Invitational as they will take on two opponents they faced last weekend in the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic. The Mavericks are set to play Lake Superior State at 2:45 p.m. and the weekend finale against the host team, UW-Parkside at 7:15 p.m.
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