Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. – It was not without a battle, but the 17th ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks turned away a determined Northern State University squad in four sets (25-16, 25-22, 15-25, 25-21) Friday evening in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference volleyball action.

The loss dropped the Wolves to 14-12 overall and 6-10 in NSIC play, while the Mavericks moved to 18-7 on the season and 10-7 in conference matches.

MSU claimed a 25-16 win in set one and seemed to be poised to take control of the second stanza, bolting to a 6-3 advantage at the outset.  The Wolves, however, refused to go away quietly, staying within two points of the Mavericks for majority of the set.  NSU forged a tie at 19-all on a block at the net from Megan Gilbraith and Kaili Aiono, but an NSU attack error and a Megan Ysker kill put the Mavericks back up by two.

Aiono closed the gap to one at 21-20 with her second kill of the set, but MSU rattled off three straight points to stake claim to a set point.  Back-to-back kills from Kayla Ysteboe and Whitney Morsching staved off two of those set points, but an Amanda Beekman kill sent the Mavericks into the break holding a 2-0 advantage.

NSU came out of the mid-match break with energy, using a 6-0 run midway through the third set to transform a 14-10 lead into a 20-10 edge and cruising the rest of the way to a 25-15 victory.

The Wolves continued the momentum to start the fourth set, streaking to a 7-1 lead on the strength of three straight Konefesi Vaisigano service aces.  The lone Maverick point in that stretch was unearned, coming on a Northern service error.

MSU recovered from the early deficit, chipping steadily away at the Northern lead until finally forcing a tie at 17-all following a 5-1 run capped by a Kimber Kuhl kill.  The Mavericks used another three-point run late in the set to pull away from a 20-20 tie before committing a service error of their own that made it a 23-21 affair.

Back-to-back close calls on the line, however, went in favor of the Mavericks, allowing them to escape with the match victory.

Ysteboe and Schaffer led the NSU offensive attack, recording 11 and 10 kills, respectively.  Morsching added nine kills and was in on six of the Wolves' eight team blocks.

The Mavericks had a trio of players who finished with 11 kills apiece, while setter Brittany Stamer passed out 47 assists as she guided the Maverick offense.  Libero Samantha Dale notched a game-best 23 digs.

The Wolves are back in action on Saturday for their final home match of the season.  NSU plays host to fifth-ranked Southwest Minnesota State University.  First serve is set for 5 p.m. in Wachs Arena.