MARSHALL, Minn. – Winona State University put the NSIC on notice Friday night when the Warriors went into Sioux Falls and knocked off the No. 19-ranked Cougars in straight sets. Less than 24 hours later, the Warriors affirmed that statement by sweeping No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State on its home court for the Mustangs' first conference loss of the year.
Winona State downed the Mustangs on Saturday by scores of 25-21, 25-20, 25-23.
Head coach Joe Getzin's young and hungry Warrior team is now just one win off last year's total, improving to 12-2 (4-2 NSIC), and appears poised to join the AVCA's Top 25 next week after receiving votes in the past four polls. SMSU drops to 11-3 (5-1 NSIC).
After recording a .476 attacking percentage at Sioux Falls on Friday, junior Megan Flom upper her game even higher with a career-best .552 clip at SMSU. Flom has hit .400 or better in each match during the Warriors' current four-match winning streak and led the team on Saturday with 17 kills.
Collectively, the Warriors tallied a .321 attacking percentage, guided by Bre Maloney's 39 assists. Winona State hit .500 in the opening set that saw the Warriors come from behind to ignite the sweep.
WSU trailed 18-13 in game one before putting together a 4-1 run late in the set. SMSU was the first to reach 20 and led by three before the Warriors put together a six-point outburst to claim a 23-20 lead. Flom was right in the middle of the rally, totaling a pair of kills and two block assists. A few points later, Flom's kill prompted set point and a Mustang error followed for a Winona State win.
After a back-and-forth affair in set two, the Warriors again rallied in set three. SMSU led 21-16 before a kill by Madison Rizner sparked a five-point run to even the score at 21-all. The Mustangs went back in front, 22-21, and the teams neared set point together at 23-all. Flom capped her big day with one final kill to make it a 24-23 contest and Eliza Dahly produced the match point with a service ace.
Flom also led the way with five blocks in the triumph and Becca Pagel had a team-best 14 digs.
The Warriors return to McCown Gymnasium next weekend for Homecoming with two more tough tests in the relentless NSIC. Winona State hosts No. 15 Wayne State on Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m. and closes the weekend on Saturday at 5 p.m. versus (RV) Augustana University.
