Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

WAYNE, Neb. — The No. 22-ranked Minnesota State volleyball team (14-2, 6-2 NSIC) fell to No. 11 Wayne State (14-3, 7-1 NSIC) on Friday, Oct. 10 at Rice Auditorium. The Mavericks competed hard throughout the match but were unable to overcome the Wildcats' strong performance.

Emily Kern led the Mavericks with a career high 14 kills and added four block assists for a team best 16 points. Ellie Kline led the back row with 17 digs over three sets, while Jadyn Lester guided the offense with 37 assists. Avery Klein contributed nine kills and a service ace for 11 total points, though the Mavericks were held to just one ace on the night, below their season average of 2.66 per set.

MSU opened the first set with energy, taking advantage of an early error before a Klein kill gave the Mavericks the lead. With steady offensive rhythm, Minnesota State found early success as Kern and Mary Satori each delivered multiple kills to build a five-point run and an 11-5 advantage. The Mavericks continued to control the tempo midway through the frame, mixing strong swings from the outside with quick sets from Lester to push the lead to 20-12. Wayne State then began to chip away, capitalizing on several MSU errors and tightening the score late. Despite the Mavericks' efforts to regroup, the Wildcats managed to even the set at 23-23 before closing it out with two final points to take the opener.

Wayne State gained control early in the second set, using a strong offensive start to take a 7-3 lead. Minnesota State fought back with key points from Satori and Klein, but the Wildcats maintained their rhythm and continued to pressure the Maverick defense. Midway through the set, Kern and Satori combined for an effective block that helped narrow the deficit, yet Wayne State answered with a strong serving run to extend its advantage. Despite a late push from the Mavericks, highlighted by kills from Kern and Klein, WSC held on to take the set 25-18.

Minnesota State started the third set strong as Avery Rosenberg and Klein combined for a block to open the scoring. The two teams traded points early, with the Mavericks tying the score several times, including at 6-6 after a service ace from Klein and a kill by Jaelyn LaPlante. Midway through the frame, Kern delivered several key kills to keep MSU even at 14-14, but a few attack errors allowed Wayne State to pull ahead. The Mavericks continued to battle late, with Kern and Satori adding timely kills to cut the deficit to 23-20, though the Wildcats closed out the set 25-21 to seal the match.

"Wayne played great," said Head Coach Corey Phelps. He added that "the lesson for us is to remember what makes us great and not concern ourselves with the outcome. Our youth showed tonight, as we struggled staying present and just enjoying the battle with a top team. We'll be better because of this loss."

The next challenge for the Mavericks will take them on the road to face Augustana on Saturday, Oct. 11. The match is set for 2 p.m. at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. and can be streamed on NSIC Network.