WINONA, Minn. – The #7 Winona State Warriors (16-3, 7-3) took on the #9 Wayne State Wildcats (14-5, 5-5) Friday night; beginning Winona State's homecoming weekend with a 3-1 victory. The Warriors were aided by a big night from
Taylor Goar; who led all hitters with 19 kills.
McKenna Larsen finished with 50 assists as the Warriors outhit the Wildcats .231-.135.
Winona State got off to a good start with a 25-18 victory in the first set of play. The Warriors attacked at a .268 percentange while holding Wayne State to a .103 team attack percentage. Net defense was a factor as Winona State finished with four blocks in the set. The Warriors used an 8-2 run in the set to pull away.
Maria Wrage led both sides with a .750 attack percentage, which included three kills.
Danielle Rampart compiled 12 total attacks in the first set including four kills. Larsen was a crucial component of the opening set victory with 13 assists beating the Wildcats team total of 11. Libero
Jamie Cairncross lead both sides with eight opening set digs.
The Warrior's second set comeback attempt came up short as Wayne State won the second set 25-19. Winona State fell behind early and trailed 20-14 before getting as close as two. The Wildcats closed out the set on a 4-0 run.
Larsen added 12 more assists to bring her two set total to 25. Rampart once again led in total attacks with nine, including five kills.
After trailing the beginning of set number three the Warriors hit their stride winning the set 25-20; thanks in large part to their .371 team attack percentage. Goar led both sides through three sets with 13 kills including a set high of 7 in the third. Larsen kept her impressive night going by adding 15 more assists in the set, while Cairncross totaled six digs.
Winona State capitalized on their opportunity to kick-off homecoming weekend with a victory winning the fourth and final set 25-23. The Warriors had to hold off a hard charging Wildcats team in the fourth set after jumping out to a 10-4 lead. Wayne State tied the set at 15 but the Warrior scored five straight to go up 20-15. The Wildcats did not shrink away, coming back to tie the set at 23. A kill by Goar followed by a kill by Larsen put the match away.
Quick Hitters:
- Jamie Cairncross averaged seven digs per set finishing with 28. She entered the night with 5.04 digs per set which ranks fourth in NSIC.
- McKenna Larsen began the night as fifth in the NCAA with 11.82 assists per set. Larsen improved her mark with 50 assists averaging 12.5 per set.
- Lauren Kudronowicz had seven block assists, a season high, to go along with seven kills. Kudronowicz had three block assists in the first set alone.
- Rampart finished with 15 kills.
- Maria Wrage had eight kills and a .316 attack percentage.
- Larsen also led with a .417 attacking percentage.
- Winona State plays again tomorrow at 6 p.m. against the sixth ranked Augustana Vikings.
By Jake Thiede
