Box Score

WINONA, Minn. - Northern State sophomore Macey Finizio pounded an efficient 14 kills to pace the Wolves to a straight sets road win (26-24, 25-21, 25-20) over Winona Sate Friday evening in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference volleyball action, handing the Warriors just their second NSIC loss of the season.  The win marks NSU's fourth straight victory - their longest streak of the season - and third win over a team ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 poll.

NSU moved to 10-8 overall and an even 5-5 in NSIC play.  The Warriors, the team with the most votes not ranked in the Top 25 in the most recent edition of the AVCA Top 25 poll, slipped to 16-4 overall and 8-2 in the loop.

The Wolves battled their way to a first set victory behind six Finizio kills and a solid .243 team attack percentage.  Freshman setter Drew Smith handed out 12 assists and had five digs to help keep the host Warriors off balance.  Smith also teamed with senior teammate Chelsea Chavez to close out the set with NSU's only block of the opening stanza, which featured 11 ties and three lead changes.

Finizio again paced the Wolves in the second set with four kills on seven swings without an error as the Wolves took a commanding 2-0 lead in the match heading into the break.  NSU led 18-10 at one point, but the Warriors staged a late-game comeback to close to within two at 21-19.  Kills by Cari McGarvie, Kelsey Chambers and Kaleinani Kabalis gave NSU a set point.  The Warriors staved off one set point before Finizio finished off the stanza with her fourth kill of the set.

NSU was forced to play from behind in the third set, not taking the lead until 19-18.  The Warriors tied things up at 20-20, but it was all NSU after that.  Kabalis had a hand in four of NSU's final five points on three kills and a block.  WSU handed the Wolves the fifth piece of the puzzle with an attacking error, and NSU walked away with the straight sets win.

Finizio finished the night with 14 kills, while Kabalis chimed in with 13 kills and 14 digs.  NSU also held the Warriors to sub-.200 attack percentages in all three stanzas while hitting .234 on the offensive side of the net.

Bekah Saugen led the Warriors with nine kills, but had seven errors to go with those kills.  Katie Froehle had eight kills and six errors, as well.

NSU remains on the road to face Upper Iowa on Saturday.  First serve is set for 5 p.m. in NSU's final road weekend of the season.  The Wolves have two remaining road contests after the weekend, but both are single mid-week match-ups.