WINONA, Minn. – Seeking its third consecutive victory when pitted against a nationally-ranked opponent, Winona State University pushed the No. 2-ranked team in the country to the brink on Homecoming Saturday in McCown Gymnasium.
The Warriors put their season-high five-match winning streak on the line entering the fifth set with Northern State University. In the end, the Wolves outlasted the Warriors in a grueling five-set battle by scores of 21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 22-25, 15-8.
Northern State (18-1, 10-1 NSIC) avoided its second loss of the year while handing WSU (9-10, 6-5 NSIC) just its second loss in the last eight matches.
The Warriors put the Wolves on notice from the opening serve on Saturday night with a torrid .435 hitting percentage in their set one victory. WSU floored 22 kills compared to just two offensive miscues. Northern State entered the match as one of the best defensive teams in the conference, allowing its opponents to hit just .149 this season, but Winona State tested the Wolves all night, finishing with a .266 clip.
The Wolves returned to form in their set two win, limiting WSU to a .167 attacking percentage while recording one block and 16 digs. Northern State's offense picked up steam in the pivotal third set with a .415 hitting percentage as the Wolves pulled in front with a 2-1 match advantage.
With their backs against the ropes in set four, the Warriors saw the emergence of freshman Hayley Dessner, who drilled seven kills in the game to push the match to a decisive fifth set. Dessner had only played in 15 total sets entering the night, but didn't back down against the stiff competition as the rookie finished the match with eight kills.
Northern State pulled out to a 5-1 lead in the final set and the Wolves defense made a stand again as the Warriors were able to muster just six kills compared to four attacking errors.
Fellow freshman, Cori Meyers, led the Warriors with 16 kills while collecting 14 digs. Senior Taylor Goar posted her seventh straight double-double with 24 digs (team high) and 15 kills. Goar continued her march up the WSU record book on Saturday, moving into a fifth-place tie all-time for kills (1,185). She also served up three aces on the night to move into 10th place in that career category (116).
Bre Maloney dished out a career-best 55 assists for Winona State, one night after supplying 54 in the Warriors' four-set win.
Dessner and senior Maria Wrage led the blocking attack with three apiece.
The Warriors will look to begin a new win streak on the road next week. The first of three matches is slated for Tuesday, October 9 at Upper Iowa.
