Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University senior Kelsey Aden made an emphatic return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Tuesday, putting down 15 kills while hitting .355 on the night as the NSU Wolves rolled to a 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-16) victory over the visiting University of Mary Marauders in the NSIC opener for both teams.

The Wolves, coming off a 3-1 win over the Marauders just last Saturday in the MSU Billings tournament, improved to 6-3 on the year and 1-0 on the young conference slate, while Mary dropped to an even 6-6 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

In addition to her 15 kills, one shy of a season-best for the senior, Aden also added a pair of service aces and 11 digs for the Wolves.  Aden made her return to the NSIC circuit after missing most of last season with a knee injury.  Junior middle blocker Whitney Morsching added nine kills for the Wolves.

Amanda Hennessy had ten kills to lead the way for the Marauders.  The junior outside hitter also had seven attacking errors, however, as the Marauders hit just .116 on the night, including a paltry .081 in the third and final set.

The Wolves took the early lead in the first set, building 20-12 edge by the late going before the Marauders came to life for the final few points.  U-Mary battled back to close the gap to 22-17 following one of four NSU service errors in the set, but the Wolves managed to turn back the rally to claim the 25-19 victory. 

The Marauders continued their new-found stride into the second game, forcing seven ties in the early going before letting the Wolves slip out to a 16-11 lead.  Undeterred, however, the Marauders came storming back to force ties at each point from 16 through 24, but a pair of thundering kills from Kayla Ysteboe and Morsching on the final two points gave the Wolves the 26-24 victory and the 2-0 edge heading into intermission.

Set three belonged almost entirely to the Wolves, despite giving up an early 2-0 lead.  NSU led at one point by a 21-9 margin before pulling away with the 25-16 win.

NSU head coach Lisa Schriver was honored prior to the start of the match for reaching the 200 career win threshold earlier this season.

The Wolves will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 19 at Wayne State in a 7 p.m. match.  NSU then faces a rematch with Augustana on Saturday at 4 p.m.