The Minnesota State volleyball team (6-3, 1-0 NSIC) were set to start the NSIC schedule as they hosted the University of Mary volleyball team (2-7, 0-1 NSIC) Friday night at Taylor Center. The Mavericks came determined as they defeated the Marauders 3-0 in a sweep of the match (25-22, 25-17, 25-21).
In the beginning of set one, the Mavericks battled back and forth with the Marauders and led the set 9-8. From there, the Mavericks proceeded to go on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 13-8. The Marauders would battle back as they worked the score to a 22-21 Maverick advantage. The Mavericks would take the next three of four points and sink the Marauders 25-22 in set one.
The Mavericks came out firing on all cylinders in set two as they took an early 5-0 lead. The Mavericks never trailed in set two but, the Marauders kept climbing back as they got within in three half way through the set and trailed the Mavericks 13-10. After that, it was all Mavericks. The Mavericks would stretch their lead to 15-11 before going on a 5-1 run that would eventually put them over the top and take down the Marauders 25-17 in set two.
Set three would be a set of runs as the Mavericks wanted to complete the 3-0 sweep of the Marauders. Both teams weren't giving an inch as the score came to a 7-7 tie early in set three. The Mavericks then had their first big run of the set, reeling off seven straight points to take the lead 13-7. From there the Marauders would mount a come back and go on a 5-0 run of their own to trail the Mavericks by one. After a Dana Schindler kill, the Marauders would go on to score three unanswered points at take the lead 15-14. The Mavericks eventually evened the score up at 19 before a 4-0 run to get a 23-19 advantage. The Mavericks went on to take two of the last four points and claim the match victory over the Marauders.
Sophomore Ellie Danielson and freshman Kiya Durant led the Mavericks with 10 kills each. Freshman Brooke Bolwerk led the way in assists with 19 on the match. Senior defensive specialist Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 22 digs on the evening. Freshman Kiya Durant and sophomores Ellie Danielson and Sophie Tietz each contributed 3 blocks in the win.
The Mavericks return to NSIC action tomorrow, Saturday September 18th, as they are set to square off against Minot State with a first serve set for 2:00 p.m.
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