WINONA, Minn. – Seeking its first signature win of the season, Winona State University downed (RV) Upper Iowa in the first set of Tuesday night's NSIC matchup in McCown Gymnasium only to see the Peacocks rally for three straight wins to deny the Warriors' first conference win of the year.
Upper Iowa (8-3, 1-2 NSIC) handed Winona State (3-8, 0-3 NSIC) its first three-match losing-streak since 2015 by set scores of 22-25, 25-13, 25-22, 25-11.
The Warriors and Peacocks both entered Tuesday's tilt riding a two-match skid in search of their first NSIC victory of the season. Winona freshman Paige Christopher did her part in set one with six kills to help secure a win on the Warriors' home court.
Set two saw the Warriors register as many kills as they did attacking errors (6) as WSU would eventually commit its most hitting miscues of the season (30).
With the match in the balance at a 1-1 tie, Winona State registered its highest hitting percentage of the night (.200) in set three. Sophomore Megan Flom floored six kills in the game and freshman Cori Meyers downed five more as the duo combined for three straight points with the Warriors trailing 21-20. The Peacocks halted WSU's run and led by a 23-20 count late in front of kills by Meyers and Sophie Wilker, but UIU held on for the set victory.
Upper Iowa went on to hit a match-best .371 in set four while Winona floored just six kills compared to nine attacking errors as the Warriors continued to be their own worst enemy at the net.
Flom and Christopher paced the Warriors with nine kills apiece in the setback. Meyers posted career bests in digs (14) and blocks assists (3) to go along with eight kills.
Becca Pagel led WSU with 28 digs while Bre Maloney recorded her sixth double-double of the year with 34 assists and 10 digs.
After playing three matches in six days, the Warriors will enjoy a short break prior to a pair of road contests this weekend. WSU continues its challenging slate on Friday at No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State before concluding the weekend at Sioux Falls on Saturday.
