Photo Gallery Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team struggled to get things going earlier against the No. 6 Wayne State Wildcats, falling in NSIC play 3-1. The No. 2 Wolves drop to 21-2 overall and 13-2 in league play, while the Wildcats improve to 21-3 overall and 13-2 in NSIC action.
The Wolves fell behind early dropping the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-14. Northern battled back to take set three 25-21, but ultimately fell 28-26 in the fourth. Northern hit .217 in the loss with 56 kills to Wayne's 67. Katie Hughes led the Wildcats with 25 kills, while VanGroningen led the team with 28 digs.
Kelsey Chambers led the NSU attack with 20 kills, followed by
Mandy Kurosky with 16 and
Cari McGarvie with ten. Chambers led the team with 23 digs and hit .327, as she fought to keep the Wolves in the match.
Renee Hoffman was second on the team with 18 digs, while
Amanda Tobin and
Drew Smith each recorded 13 of the team's 91 total.
Mandy Kurosky battled for the Wolves in the fourth set, recording six of the Wolves' 15 in the set.
Drew Smith tallied 50 assists, while Hoffman added five to the team total. The Wolves out-blocked the Wildcats 7-to-4 led by Chambers and
Kellie Schmit with three apiece.
Northern will look to bounce back tomorrow at home and snap the two game loss streak against No. 20 Augustana. The Wolves and Vikings will face off at 5 p.m. from Wachs Arena. Kids in costume will be admitted free to the match, as well as fans with a valid NSU vs. UMD football ticket. The NSU volleyball program will also host trick-or-treating with the Wolves post-game.
