SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State (15-2, 6-2 NSIC) faced a tough challenge on Friday night, taking on the Cougars in Sioux Falls. The University of Sioux Falls (10-6, 4-4 NSIC) won the first set but the Warriors would have the last laugh, winning in four sets (20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16).
The Cougars jumped out in set one 7-3, putting Winona State behind the eight ball early. Sioux Falls would extend their lead to six at 12-6, but the Warriors started to make a comeback. An attack error by the Cougars allowed Winona State to tie the set at 17. Winona State would tie the set on three more occasions but a 5-0 run with the score tied at twenty ended the comeback.
In the second set Sioux Falls once again took an early 7-3 lead but this time the Warriors rallied back quickly tying the set at eight. Winona State took their first lead since the first point of the set with a kill by
Lauren Kudronowicz at 11-10. Sioux Falls tied the set at 11 but would never take the lead as Winona State built up a three-point cushion that they maintained for a majority of the set before winning 25-20.
It would be Winona State who took the lead early in the next set, jumping out 7-4. The Cougars tied the set at 11 and even took a short lead but the Warriors were able quickly gain control back. The set stayed tight the rest of the way but the Warriors hung on for a 25-21 victory.
The Warriors would never trail in the fourth set but did not run away from the Cougars until late. Winona State would lead by five on a couple occasions midway through the set before closing out the match with a five straight points to win 25-16.
QUICK HITS:
Taylor Goar (17) and
Danielle Rampart (16) combined for 23 kills.
Maria Wrage and
Lauren Kudronowicz each had eight kills on the night.
McKenna Larsen finished her night with 49 assists, six digs and three aces.
Fruechte had a good night at service line, tallying four aces and setting a new career high.
Rampart was big defensively, tallying 20 digs to earn a double-double.
Jamie Cairncross led the team with 23 digs.
Wrage was big at the net, finishing with five blocks; two solo and three block assists.
The Warriors hit .296 as five Warriors finished with hitting percentages over .333 on the night.
Winona State finished with nine service aces.
Next up is a match at #4 Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday at 3 p.m.
