Houghton, Mich. ——— The Minnesota State volleyball team (0-1, 0-0 NSIC) traveled to Houghton, Mich., to square off against the Northern Michigan Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 GLIAC) in its first match of the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic. The Mavericks lost the match to the Wildcats 3-2 (26-28, 28-26, 17-25, 25-21, 10-15).

The first set started with big runs by both teams in the first set. The Mavericks and Wildcats both battled near the end of the first set to a 22-22 tie. From there on out they traded points until the Wildcats eventually got the final two points to wrap up the first set 28-26.

The Mavericks jumped out of the gates fast in the start of the second set. They started off the set with six straight points to begin the set but, the Wildcats mounted a comeback and eventually knotted the set up at 17 a piece. However the Mavericks put together another 7-0 run to take a 24-17 advantage. The Wildcats weren't done as they answered with a 6-0 run to get within one of the Mavericks. The Mavericks held strong to win 28-26.

The third set saw the Wildcats get ahead and never look back. The Mavericks never led in this set and dropped it 25-17. The fourth set saw a back and forth battle. The Mavericks never trailed in the set and secured the set 25-21. In the fifth set of the match the Wildcats clawed their way to a 14-5 lead. After a Minnesota State timeout, the Mavericks rallied back to get within striking distance but Northern Michigan ousted the Mavericks 15-10.

Senior Dana Schindler and junior Mariah Edgington led the way for the Mavericks, both finishing with 12 kills respectively. Schindler also led the team with 24 assists. Senior Mara Quam contributed 16 digs, inching her way closer to MSU's all-time digs leader. She is currently third all time with 1,433.

On Friday the Mavericks will enter day two of the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic in Houghton, Mich., where they will face-off against Michigan Tech at 12:00 p.m., and UW-Parkside at 5:00 p.m.

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