ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Wolves of Northern State University battled tooth and nail with the visiting #8 Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs Friday at Wachs Arena, but ended up losing by a score of 3-1 in four very closely contested sets.

Set scores for the match were 22-25, 19-25, 25-23, and 21-25. The Wolves are now 9-5 on the season and 1-4 in the very tough NSIC conference, which is widely regarded to be the toughest Division-II volleyball conference in the country.

Melanie Perez led the Wolves line with 10 kills and 19 digs, and also added a solo block and four assisted-blocks. Kayla Ysteboe and Caitlin Oelke each added eight kills on offense, with Ysteboe adding 20 digs on the defensive end. Stephanie Nygaard added 25 digs and the lone service ace for the Wolves. Megan Gilbraith kept the offense clicking with her 32 assists, while adding 14 digs on the defensive end.

BOX SCORE

The Wolves will play host again tomorrow night as the Mavericks of Minnesota State University-Mankato invade Wachs Arena.

Northern State University is an NCAA Division II member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and is located in Aberdeen, S.D.