WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University leapfrogged MSU Moorhead in the crowded NSIC standings Friday night with a pivotal four-set victory in McCown Gymnasium. The Warrior have won five straight matches and six of their last seven heading into Saturday's Homecoming showdown with No. 2 Northern State University.
Winona State returns to the .500 mark for the first time since the opening weekend of the season at 9-9 (6-4 NSIC). The Warriors now sit in a three-way tie for sixth place in conference with the playoffs looming next month. MSU Moorhead falls to 9-8 (5-5 NSIC) with its third straight loss.
WSU slayed the Dragons by scores of 25-18, 20-25, 25-19, 25-16.
Entering the night tied for the eighth spot in the NSIC standings with Moorhead, Winona State raced out to a 20-8 lead in the opening set. Leading 8-4 early, the Warriors exploded on a six-point run highlighted by a trio of kills from Taylor Goar. Paige Christopher floored a kill to make it a 22-10 advantage as WSU looked to make quick work of the Dragons in set one, but Moorhead responded with a six-point rally.
Christopher halted the Dragon run with another kill to make it a 23-16 game and the two sides traded points until a Moorhead error gave Winona State the first set victory.
Set two was a back-and-forth affair early featuring eight ties and four lead changes on the scoreboard. A kill by Sophie Wilker knotted the score at 13-13, but that marked the final time the Warriors owned a share of the lead as the Dragons were able to keep the home team at arm's length to the finish lie and head into the break with the match tied at one apiece.
Winona State brought its a-game out of the locker room, drilling 21 kills and recording a match-best .410 hitting percentage. Goar and fellow senior Maria Wrage floored five kills apiece as the Warriors took the all-important 2-1 match lead.
With the pivotal third set tied at 8-8, an unlikely source of offense snuck in a kill to put Winona State in front for good. During the rally, Becca Pagel's dig attempt went long for an over-pass but landed safely on the Dragon's side as the sophomore libero notched just her second kill of the year in what proved to be a game-changer.
Wrage went on to lead the way in the decisive fourth set with four more kills as the senior recorded a season-best 10 in the victory. It marked the first time this year Wrage reached double digits in kills as she has battled her way back into the lineup from a preseason injury.
Goar paced Winona State with 13 kills as she posted her sixth straight double-double (16 digs). Freshman Cori Meyers matched Wrage's effort with 10 kills of her own.
Alexis Bass was at the service line for a number of extended WSU rallies on Friday night and recorded one service ace as did Sarah Suits.
The Warriors host the No. 2-ranked Wolves of Northern State on Saturday evening seeking their third consecutive triumph over a ranked opponent. First serve is slated for 5 p.m. in McCown Gymnasium.
