SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team opened Friday night's NSIC matchup with a first-set victory before Minnesota State rallied to take the next three, handing the Cougars a 3-1 loss inside the Stewart Center.
Sioux Falls claimed the opener 25-22 before the Mavericks responded with wins of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-19. The loss moves the Cougars to 4-7 overall and 0-3 in NSIC play.
The Basics
Final: Minnesota State 3, Sioux Falls 1
Set Scores: 25-22, 17-25, 17-25, 19-25
Records: Sioux Falls 4-7 (0-3 NSIC) | Minnesota State 3-8 (1-2 NSIC)
Location: Stewart Center | Sioux Falls, S.D.
How It Happened
Sioux Falls controlled much of the opening set, jumping out to a 7-4 advantage before extending its lead to 16-10 behind kills from Aubrey Gates and Ella Walker. Minnesota State answered with a 7-1 run to pull even at 17, but the Cougars responded. A Haley Wolfe kill followed by a Faith Van Eck ace helped USF rebuild a 22-18 advantage. Abby Haus later gave the Cougars set point with a kill before Walker closed the frame with a block for the 25-22 victory.
The Mavericks began to find their rhythm offensively in the second set. USF remained within one at 10-9 before Minnesota State gradually created separation. The Mavericks used a late surge to build a 24-15 advantage and ultimately evened the match with a 25-17 win. Minnesota State hit .394 in the frame with 16 kills.
The third set featured five ties as the Cougars continued to battle. USF erased an early deficit and used a Walker kill followed by a Maverick attack error to take a 14-13 lead. Minnesota State responded with six consecutive points to swing the set in its favor at 19-14. The Mavericks carried that momentum through the remainder of the frame to take it 25-17 and move ahead 2-1 in the match.
Sioux Falls opened the fourth with a 7-3 advantage, but Minnesota State answered with four straight to tie the set. The teams continued to trade points before the Mavericks used another run to take a 17-12 lead. USF battled back within two at 18-16 behind a Gates kill, a Lucy Larson ace and a Minnesota State setting error, but the Mavericks closed the match on a 7-3 run for the 25-19 decision.
Key Cougars
Ella Walker led Sioux Falls offensively with 11 kills while hitting .348 and added four total blocks. Abby Haus turned in an efficient night with nine kills on 14 attacks and just one error, finishing with a team-best .571 hitting percentage. Aubrey Gates added nine kills, while Tatum Godinez finished with seven.
Maci Lerseth led the Cougar defense with 21 digs. Hollie Peterson dished out 21 assists, while Gretchen Volk added 17. Haley Wolfe finished with five kills, four total blocks and an ace for 9.5 points on the night.
By the Numbers
- Sioux Falls finished with 42 kills, 51 digs, five service aces and eight team blocks.
- Walker's 11 kills led the Cougars, while Haus' .571 hitting percentage paced the USF attack.
- Lerseth recorded a match-high 21 digs.
- Larson led Sioux Falls with two service aces.
- Minnesota State finished with 53 kills and hit .291 for the match, including .394 in the second set.
- The Mavericks recorded 11 service aces, while USF finished with five.
Up Next
The Cougars will host #10 St. Cloud State on Saturday at 2pm for their annual Junior Cougar Club match before hosting #14 Southwest Minnesota State for a midweek matchup on Thursday, September 24th.
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