Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team opened its 2022 season with losses against Missouri Western (3-1) and Hillsdale (3-0).
MSU owns a 0-2 record on the season.

Minnesota State began the day with a 3-1 loss (25-23, 21-25, 25-12, 25-23) against the Griffons before finishing with a 3-0 loss (25-21, 28-26, 25-21) against the Chargers.

Missouri Western Recap

The first set saw the Griffons lead early on as they built a 14-12 lead. The Mavericks then went on a 3-0 run, including two kills from junior Sophie Tietz, to take their first lead of the set at 15-14. Neither team would lead by more than two points the rest of the way as MSU and MWSU were knotted up at 23-23. Two kills by the Griffons would end the set 25-23 in their favor.

The Mavericks never trailed in the second set as they led by as many as five points. After a kill from sophomore Abigail Wolfe, MSU led 21-8, but three consecutive points from the Griffons tied the score at 21-21. After a Minnesota State timeout, the Mavericks answered right back with the next four points, including two kills and two blocks to take the second set 25-21.

The third set remained close early as MWSU lead 7-6. The Griffons would then take charge of the set as they outscored the Mavericks 18-6 to claim a 24-12 win the third set.

MSU jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead early in the fourth set, but the Griffons were able to respond with a 9-3 run to take a 10-9 lead. The Mavericks bounced back and managed to reclaim the lead as they went up by three at 20-17. The Griffons managed to tie the score at 20-20 but an attack error and a kill from Elizabeth Dille put MSU back up at 22-20. Missouri Western responded with three consecutive points to take the lead for good as they went on to take the set 25-23 and the match.

Junior Ellie Danielson led the Mavericks with nine kills and five blocks, while sophomore Brooke Bolwerk recorded 20 assists. Senior Brenna Hesse added 16 digs, while Richards recorded five service aces.

Shelby Dannegger led the Griffon offense with 13 kills, while Lily Kurz added 12 kills. Zari Montgomery passed out 30 assists, while Jessica Sachen led the team in digs with 26.

Hillsdale Recap

The opening part of the first set remained close as the Chargers held a 7-6 lead early. HC would then go on an 8-1 run to take a 15-7 lead. The Mavericks managed to get back within three points of the Chargers at 24-21, but HC would get the final point to secure the first set 25-21.

The second set saw the Chargers to build a 20-15 lead, only to see the Mavericks go on a 5-0 run to knot up the score at 20-20. HC managed to recover and go up 24-21, but MSU would not go quietly as an HC attack error and kills from Danielson and sophomore Emma Loveall tied the score at 24-24. Both teams would exchange two points, before Hillsdale got the final two points of the set to lock down the 28-26 win.

The third set remained close early on as both teams were tied at 15-15. The Mavericks were able to go on a 5-2 run, including two kills from Loveall, to take a 20-17 lead, but Hillsdale would finish the set on an 8-1 run to secure the set 25-21 and the match.

Wolfe led the Maverick offense with nine kills, while sophomore Kiya Durant tallied eight kills and five blocks. Snow passed out 23 assists, while Hesse tallied 20 digs.
Karoline Shelton led the Chargers with 12 kills, while Lauren Passaglia passed out 33 assists. Maizie Brown tallied eight blocks.

Minnesota State wraps up the Rockhurst Classic on Saturday as it takes on Black Hills State at 10:00 a.m., and Rockhurst at 2:00 p.m., in Kansas City, Mo.
 
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