WINONA, Minn. – The No. 24 Winona State volleyball team tried its best to dig out of a two set deficit, but fell 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23) to undefeated No. 8 Northern State Saturday afternoon in McCown Gymnasium.
Trailing two sets to none, the Warriors came alive in set three, hitting .400 while holding the Wolves to .216. The Warriors were sparked by Taylor Goar, who had seven of her season-high 22 kills in the third set victory.
The Warriors continued their strong play into the fourth set and appeared destined to force a fifth set as WSU led for the majority of the set, including leads of 10-7, 13-10 and 18-15. But the Wolves scored three of the next four points to tie it at 19-19 on a kill from Kellie Schmit. Taylor Goar responded with a kill to briefly retake the lead, but Northern State closed out the match with a 6-3 run to win the fourth and final set 25-23.
Northern State outhit the Warriors in just one set – the second, which resulted in a 25-23 set victory for the Wolves.
Goar hit .364 for the match and tallied a match and season-high 22 kills along with 11 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
Lauren Kudronowicz had a fantastic performance with a career-high 17 kills and hit a team-best .452 along with five digs and two blocks.
Danielle Rampart recorded her third straight double-double with 14-kill, 19-dig effort. Rampart's 19 digs led the taem, while Jamie Cairncross had 16 and Summer Larson added 13.
Winona State (9-7, 3-6 NSIC) hits the road next, making the long trek to Minot State and the University of Mary next Friday and Saturday.
