Houghton, Mich. --- After dropping a season-opening match Friday night, the Minnesota State volleyball team (1-1, 0-0 NSIC) bounced back on day two of the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic with a win over host Michigan Tech (1-1, 0-0 GLIAC). The Mavericks were triumphant over the Huskies 3-2 (18-25, 25-12, 25-17, 25-27, 15-8) in five sets at SDC Gym this afternoon.
Michigan Tech got out of the gates fast in set one, with the Huskies jumping out to a 9-4 advantage. The Mavericks clawed back late in the set as sophomore Sophie Tietz got a kill set up by senior Dana Schindler to get within three, but the Huskies kept their distance and won set one 25-18. Set two saw an early back and forth battle until, the Mavericks went on a ten-point unanswered run. The Mavericks capitalized on a plethora of attack errors by the Huskies and cruised to a 25-12 set two victory.
Much like the start of set two, set three was quite the same. The Mavericks pulled away to a 13-9 lead during the set and the Huskies wouldn't get any closer than this. On the back of five Schindler kills the Mavericks once again proved to much for the Huskies and fought to a 25-17 set win. The Huskies recouped and came out of the set break hot. They distanced themself from the Mavericks with a 12-7 lead. The Mavericks dug themselves out of a deficit and faced multiple set points, but MTU proved to be to much to force a set five with a 27-25 win.
Set five saw the Mavericks come out determined not to let the match slip away. The two teams traded points early, but Minnesota State built a 12-8 lead late in the set and never looked back. Two kills by Schindler in the final three points propelled the Mavericks to a 15-8 set win and match victory.
"It was a fantastic team effort," said Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps. "We showed great confidence and composure throughout and never wavered in our game plan. A step in the right direction against a very solid opponent."
Senior Dana Schindler led the team with a career high 18 kills and freshman setter Brooke Bolwerk contributed 26 assists. Senior Mara Quam once again led the Mavericks on defense with 19 digs and sophomore Ellie Danielson contributed 10 blocks in the match.
In match two of the double header Friday at the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic the Minnesota State volleyball team (1-2, 0-0 NSIC) was looking for the sweep but, fell just short against UW-Parkside (1-1, 0-0 GLIAC) in five sets 3-2 (25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 26-28, 12-15)
It was a tightly contested first set with neither team giving an inch. The Mavericks battled hard as the Rangers gave them quite a run for their money but, never led in the first set. The Mavericks went on to win set one 25-23. The second set played out much like the first as once again it was a back and forth match. The match was tied at 5-5 and then the Mavericks went on a 7-0 run to advance their lead to 12-5. Later, The Rangers mounted their own 5-0 run to get within one but, that was as close as they would get. The Mavericks took set two 25-22.
The Rangers however were not finished. The Rangers jumped up on the Mavericks early to a 14-7 lead. The Mavericks proceeded to mount a comeback and posted a 9-1 run to take a 16-15 lead. It remained neck and neck until the Rangers claimed five of the final six points to claim set three. The fourth set did not lack any excitement, as there was seven ties throughout the set that ultimately saw the Mavericks fall 26-28.
In the fifth and final set it was a point for point contest as both the Mavericks and Rangers raced to a 10-10 tie. The Rangers went ahead by a four-point margin to take the lead 14-10. The Mavericks managed to close within two of the Rangers at 14-12, but they would get no closer as UW-Parkside locked down the fifth set and the match by the score of 15-12.
"Tonight we simply ran out of gas." Said Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps. "We fought to the end, but three straight five set matches this early takes a toll. We'll recoup and get after it tomorrow and do what we can to finish on a good note. I'm proud of the heart and determination we showed. We'll learn from this and be better moving forward."
Junior Mariah Edgington led the Mavericks in kills with 19. Freshman setter Brooke Bolwerk had 27 assists. Also, senior defensive specialist Mara Quam had 24 digs.
The Mavericks return to action tomorrow in the final day of the Keweenaw Volleyball Classic in Houghton, Mich., as they are set to face off against Lake Superior State with first serve scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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