MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball team (14-1, 6-1 NSIC) outlasted No. 12 Southwest Minnesota State (10-4, 3-4 NSIC) in a thrilling five-set battle at the Taylor Center on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Mavericks prevailed, marking their second ranked win with the season and fourth match with 11 service aces.

Emily Kern powered the Mavericks with 14 kills and five blocks, while Ellie Kline anchored the defense with a season-best 30 digs and added five aces. Mary Satori led all scorers with 17 points on 16 kills, and setter Jadyn Lester directed the offense with a career-high 48 assists. Lester also contributed five aces and a career-best in six blocks, underscoring her all-around performance.

Minnesota State came out strong in the opening frame, capitalizing on early miscues from Southwest Minnesota State to build a quick 3-1 lead. Blocks from Avery Rosenberg and Avery Klein, paired with Lester's steady setting, kept the Maverick offense in rhythm. As the set progressed, Kern and Satori delivered clutch kills, stretching the advantage to 14-6. The Mustangs mounted a rally to even the score at 17-all, but MSU responded with composure. Rosenberg and Addison Foor provided timely points before Kline's service ace and a final kill from Foor sealed the set, 25-19.

In the second set, the Mavericks started with a solid performance as Rosenberg and Klein each contributed crucial kills, keeping the score closely contested early on. The team managed to maintain momentum, with Kern and Satori adding pivotal points resulting in a brief lead. The Mustangs shifted the momentum midway, utilizing a series of offensive plays and capitalizing on errors from the Mavericks. Despite a late push from MSU, led by Lester and Rosenberg, the SMSU closed the set with a 25-18 victory.

In the third set, the Mavericks seized momentum from Southwest Minnesota State with a series of plays. Rosenberg initiated the scoring for the home team, later followed by a kill from Satori, which turned the early deficit into a 6-3 lead. The Mustangs attempted a comeback, leveling the score at 7-7, but a service ace by Kline and a kill by Klein pushed Minnesota State back ahead. Lester's consistent setting facilitated the home team's sustained offensive push, extending their lead to 17-11. The Mavericks maintained their advantage by converting defensive stops into points, highlighted by a final kill from Kern, to close the set at 25-19.

MSU opened the fourth set with a strong start, taking an early 4-0 lead fueled by kills from Satori and Rosenberg, along with two service aces from Lester. The team extended the lead to 11-4 following additional aces from Kline and kills by Klein. However, the Mustangs responded with a series of points, bringing the score to a 13-11 MSU advantage. The Mustangs continued their comeback, eventually overtaking the Mavericks at 14-13. Klein and Kern's kills kept the home team within striking distance, tying the game at 15 apiece. SMSU regained momentum, pushing ahead with a series of kills and errors by the Mavericks, leading to a 20-15 deficit for the home squad. The Mavericks fought to narrow the gap with kills from Klein and Kern, yet the Mustangs maintained their edge, securing a 25-20 set victory.

In the decisive fifth set, the Mavericks jumped to an early lead, capitalizing on several Mustangs errors to establish a 6-1 advantage. Lester was instrumental in this stretch, contributing a service ace and assisting on multiple kills by Satori. The Mustangs fought back, closing the gap to 11-8. However, the Mavericks maintained control, with Satori continuing her offensive efforts, and Klein delivering a critical kill to reach match point. The Minnesota State secured the set 15-11, concluding the match.

Head Coach Corey Phelps was "thrilled with the results from the weekend!" He adds, "I am equally proud of the grit we are showing against legit teams. We continue to learn things about ourselves that will help us in the post season, once we get there."

The Mavericks now turn their focus to another ranked opponent, visiting No. 9 Wayne State on Friday, Oct. 10, with first serve set for 6 p.m. at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, Neb.