MARSHALL, Minn. – #4 Southwest Minnesota State rallied in the fifth set to top the #7 Winona State Warriors in a thrilling match (25-20, 17-25, 16-25, 25-22, 20-18). The Warriors could not hold a 14-12 lead in the fifth set, falling 20-18 in the final frame.
The Mustangs were able to take the first set behind a 7-3 run during the middle of the game. Winona State cut the deficit to one at 19-18 but could not grab the lead and fell 25-20.
The Warriors would rebound in the second set and grabbed a 15-9 lead. Southwest Minnesota State could never recover and Winona State ran away with a 25-17 set two win.
The third set was tight contest until the Warriors went on an 8-1 run to take a 23-15 lead. They would go on to win the set 25-16.
Southwest Minnesota State grabbed the early lead in the fourth set and tried to run away from the Warriors, grabbing a 16-12 lead. The Warriors would dig in after a timeout and tied the set at 20. Winona State could not finish off the comeback and fell 25-22.
For the first time this season the Warriors had a match go to a fifth set. Southwest had the momentum after grabbing a 9-7 lead but three straight points by the Warriors put them on top 11-9. Winona State went up 14-12 after kill by Larsen but Southwest found a way to score three straight. The Warriors would kill off four set points before the Mustangs ended the match with a 20-18 win.
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