Seaside, Calif. – Minnesota State Volleyball split its matchups Friday at the Otter Volleyball Invitational. The Mavericks (1-2) lost to Westmont (1-1) and defeated the host team, California State Monterey Bay (1-1).
Mavericks vs. Warriors
The Mavericks lost their first match of the day to the Warriors of Westmont College, 3-1. The Mavericks won the second set 25-17.
Minnesota State was led by juniors Toryn Richards and Kiya Durant in kills. Each recorded 10. Richards also led the team in aces with three. Sophie Tietz led the Mavericks in blocks with five, a match-high. Brooke Bolwerk assisted on 19 points for the Mavericks and had 12 digs.
Westmont's Sara Krueger led the match with 14 kills. Alexa Shiner had five service aces.
Mavericks vs. Otters
Minnesota State won its second matchup of the evening against California State Monterey Bay in five sets.
The Mavericks started off hot, dominating the first set, 25-14. Cal State Monterey Bay came back, to win the second set 25-22. Minnesota State swung momentum back their way by winning the third set, but the Otters won a closely contended fourth set, edging out the Mavericks 25-23. However, Minnesota State responded swiftly in the final set, winning 15-9 to take the match.
Four Mavericks finished the match with more than 10 kills. Emma Loveall had 12, Durant and Tietz each had 14 and Elizabeth Dille had a match-high 16 kills. Bolwerk recorded 53 assists. Tietz also led the team in service aces with four, was second on the team in blocks with 3.5 and recorded 13 digs. Ellie Kline had 22 digs to lead Minnesota State, and Dille was right behind with 18.
"I couldn't be prouder of the grit and determination this team showed today," said head coach Corey Phelps. "After a subpar match earlier in the day, we were able to face the host team and never falter. For the first time we were playing every point with fierce aggression. We controlled the match.
Kiya Durant was incredible offensively tonight. Brooke Bolwerk ran the offense with intelligence and poise and we were a force on the service line."
The Mavericks look forward to wrapping up the last match of the tournament against Dominican tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
