MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball (13-11, 8-8) fell to University of Mary (8-18, 3-13) Marauders in five sets, 3-2 (25-20, 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 15-9) Saturday at Taylor Center. A career-high in kills (21) for senior right side hitter Sophie Tietz was still not enough to tip the scales in the Mavericks' favor.

UMary started the match hot, with a 13-8 edge. The Mavericks came back to tie it at 13, but UMary went on a similar run to go back ahead 18-13. Minnesota State attempted to come back from the deficit, bringing the score to within one, but the Marauders were able to pull of the first set victory, 25-20.

The second set was mostly controlled by the Mavericks, who posted a sizeable lead 20-13. Minnesota State rode away with the second set, taking it 25-16. The third set was more even than the second, featuring back-and-forth scoring between the two teams, but on the shoulders of Brooke Bolwerk's serve, the Mavericks went up 18-12. The Marauders stormed right back, bringing their deficit to two, 18-16. Minnesota State carried momentum the rest of the set, winning it 25-20.

Set four started hot for the Mavericks, who grabbed a quick 9-4 lead. Again, the Marauders led a comeback, scoring nine of 12 points for a 13-12 lead in the fourth set. From there, the Mavericks and the Marauders traded blows until the score was 22-22. After three straight service errors for Minnesota State, UMary clinched it 26-24. The Marauders carried the momentum of their fourth set win and turned it into a dominant fifth set. UMary won the final set 15-9 for the upset win.

Tietz had a career-high 21 kills with a .422 hitting percentage and had three blocks. Abigail Wolfe had 13 kills and two blocks. Kiya Durant finished with six blocks, eight kills and an ace. Reigning NSIC Defensive Player of the Week, Emily Kern, recorded four blocks and five kills. Toryn Richards was a huge spark off the bench for the Mavericks; she finished with four kills and two blocks. Emma Loveall had eight kills and seven digs. Bolwerk had 36 assists and 14 digs. Ellie Kline had 20 digs and Skylar Walters had 21 assists.

For UMary, Maddie Cooper had 11 kills and four blocks. Nehkyah Ellis led the Marauders with five aces and had three blocks. Kameron Selvig recorded 40 assists. Kaia Sueker had 31 digs.

"We didn't step up when it counted," said Mavericks head coach Corey Phelps. "Our offense was solid when we were in system. We have to be better in the serve and pass game. The challenge ahead just got a little tougher, but we will battle through it."

The Mavericks are currently ninth in the NSIC Conference standings. The top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament. Tournament play begins Nov. 14.

Minnesota State plays its last two matches of the season next weekend, first against Northern State (17-7, 9-6) on Friday Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D. The Mavericks play MSU Moorhead (7-18, 3-13) Saturday Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead.