BEMIDJI, Minn. – Winona State (23-3, 14-3 NSIC) won their eighth straight match, sweeping Bemidji State (7-19, 3-14 NSIC) on Friday Night. The 25-16, 25-20, 25-20 win was the sixth straight sweep for the Warriors, who tied the school record for the most NSIC conference wins in a season. Winona State set the school record in 2014 when they finished 14-6. It was the 23
rd victory of the season, the most by a Winona State volleyball team since winning 24 in 1991.
The Warriors hit .320 on Friday night, racking up 47 kills in three sets.
Lauren Kudronowicz led all scorers with 12 kills, she also added three blocks.
Taylor Goar was the other Warrior with double-digit kills on Friday, finishing with ten.
McKenna Larsen had 36 assists to go with 11 digs and five kills.
Jamie Cairncross had seven assists, one shy of her season high. She led all players with 17 digs defensively.
Winona State came out hot in the opening set, taking a 7-1 lead after the first whistle. The lead would grow to seven at 12-5 before the Beavers came back. Bemidji State would pull within three but the Warriors would respond and a 10-4 run gave them a nine-point lead and set point at 24-15. A kill by Larsen would give the Warriors the opening set.
In the second set Winona State again led 12-5 and pushed their lead to as much as ten after back-to-back kills from Kudronowicz. The Beavers tried to rally late going on a 7-1 run but Goar finished the set with a kill to give WSU a 25-20 win.
The third set was close early bit six straight points by the Warriors gave them an 11-5 lead. Bemidji State got within four on a couple occasions during the middle of the set but could not get any closer until back-to-back points made the score 23-20. Winona State killed off the Beavers comeback attempt with two straight points, winning 25-20.
Tomorrow the Warriors will take on Minnesota Crookston at 4 p.m. A victory tomorrow night would secure a top-five finish for Winona State. Currently the Warriors are tied for third in the NSIC with Augustana and Minnesota Duluth.
