ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minnesota State volleyball (13-12, 8-9) fell to the Wolves of Northern State (18-8, 10-7) at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, 1-3. Toryn Richards had a career night with 20 kills, despite the loss.
Northern State started up 5-1, but the Mavericks cut the lead to one on a Sophie Tietz service ace, 6-5. The Wolves would then go on a 7-0 run. Again, Minnesota State made a comeback. The Mavericks forced two timeouts on a 13-4 run to take the lead, 20-18. In the end, the Wolves took the set, 25-23, closing the set out on a 7-3 run.
Minnesota State launched out of the gates in a bold way, leading 18-10 after dropping the first set. Tietz had a big second set, with four kills and an ace. Northern State would race back at the end, however, with a 12-6 run to bring it within two. But the Mavericks held out, winning the set 25-22.
The third set was remarkably close, essentially going back and forth for points, with Northern State just taking the set despite a valiant effort by the Mavericks, 25-22.
The final set was again evenly matched. Once Minnesota State got within one, Northern went on a 6-1 run to put the Wolves up 20-14. Then the Mavericks went on a 4-1 run to force a timeout with the score 21-18, Wolves. Despite the Mavericks' best efforts at the end, Northern State would close out the match, winning the final set 25-21.
Minnesota State was led offensively by Richards who had a career-high 20 kills with a .319 hitting percentage. Tietz finished with 15 kills, two aces and four blocks. Kiya Durant also had two aces and four blocks. Emily Kern had three blocks. Ellie Kline finished with 21 digs and two aces. Brooke Bolwerk recorded 27 assists; Skylar Walters had 21.
For Northern State, Hanna Thompson and Natalia Szybinska each had 14 kills. Abby Brooks had 10 to go along with her three blocks. Keri Walker also had three blocks with her 51 assists and 14 digs. Abby Meister led the Wolves in digs and aces with 30 and three, respectively. Reese Johnson was second in both aces and digs for the Wolves with two and 15, respectively. Eliza Bauers finished with a whopping six blocks to lead all players.
"We left it all out there tonight," said Minnesota State head coach Corey Phelps. "We'll rest up and give all we have tomorrow."
Minnesota State returns to play tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Moorhead, Minn. to take on the Dragons of MSUM (7-19, 3-14).
Despite the loss, Minnesota State remains in eighth place in the NSIC standings. The top eight teams in the conference compete in the NSIC Tournament. The first round of the NSIC Tournament begins Nov. 14.
"We control what we can," said Phelps. "All we can do is finish the regular season with a win and hope that the volleyball gods smile on us." If the Mavericks win tomorrow against the Dragons, they make the NSIC Tournament. Last year the Mavericks finished twelfth in the conference with a 5-15 conference record and a 6-22 overall record.
