WAYNE, Neb. – A strong defensive effort helped lift Winona State University to a straight set road sweep of (RV) Wayne State College on Friday night as the Warriors successfully knocked off the Wildcats for the second time this season.
The Warriors recorded nine blocks and a new season-high dig total for a three set match with 66. Libero Becca Pagel led a quartet of Warriors recording double digits digs with 18.
Defense has carried Wayne State this season as the Wildcats entered the match leading the NSIC in opponent's hitting percentage (.137). The home team was able to limit Winona State under a .200 clip, but the Warriors flex their defensive muscle all night long.
Maria Wrage led the offense with a season-best 13 kills. The senior middle blocker registered a .545 attacking percentage on 22 swings while committing just one error. Wrage added four blocks to her impressive stat line.
Megan Flom had a big night with 10 kills and paced the Warriors at the net with six blocks. Freshman Madison Rizner added five blocks.
Setter Bre Maloney delivered her team-leading 14th double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs. Taylor Goar chipped in her 10th double-double of 13 digs and 11 kills.
Winona State led wire-to-wire in set one and only trailed on one serve of the second set. Wayne State opened the third game with four straight points, but the Warriors answered with four of their own and the back-and-forth set was on.
With set three tied at 13-13, WSU used another four-point run to take what proved to be the lead for good. Flom and Cori Meyers each floored kills, Wrage recorded a block and Pagel dropped a service ace on the Wildcats. Wayne State continued to chip away at its deficit until the end and made it a one-point game at 23-22 looking to avoid the sweep. Flom and Rizner teamed up for a critical block after that and Goar ended the match with her 122nd career service ace.
Winona State (12-13, 9-8 NSIC) picks up its third win of the year over an opponent ranked or receiving votes in the Top 25 while Wayne State falls to 20-7 (11-6 NSIC).
The Warriors will seek their fourth consecutive win on Saturday afternoon in their final road match of the regular season at Augustana University at 2 p.m.
