MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State Mavericks (9-8, 4-5) lost in three sets to the Cougars of Sioux Falls (7-10, 3-6), 3-0 Thursday night at Taylor Center.

The Cougars started the match hot, scoring the first eight points of the first set. Sioux Falls went on to dominate the set, finishing off the Mavericks 25-11. The two teams battled back and forth for the final two sets, but the Cougars finished off Minnesota State, winning sets two and three 25-23, 25-23.

Minnesota State was led offensively by Emma Loveall, who recorded nine kills and two blocks. Kiya Durant had six kills and four blocks to lead the team. Sophie Tietz had seven kills and two blocks. Emily Kern also had two blocks. Brooke Bolwerk led the Mavericks in assists and digs, with 18 and six, respectively. Toryn Richards and Elizabeth Dille had the only two service aces for the Mavericks.

Sioux Falls was dominant offensively. Jordan Kuper led the Cougars with 12 kills and four blocks. Sadie Voss and Kyleigh Tangen each had 11 kills. Liz Kopp was a spark off the bench for the Cougars, recording three aces. Elise Gillen had 40 assists, seven digs and two aces. Sioux Falls recorded a hitting percentage of .357 and had 17 more kills than the Mavericks.

"After playing as well as we have lately, to come out the way we did was disappointing," said head coach Corey Phelps. "We're in a good position with our remaining schedule. I'm not concerned about the loss as much as I am the way we lost. We've got to be better."

Minnesota State Volleyball returns to action on Saturday Oct. 14, as the team travels to Nebraska to take on the Wildcats of Wayne State (18-1, 9-0), the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. The match starts at 3 p.m. at Rice Auditorium and will be streamed on the NSIC Network.