FAYETTE, Iowa - The #10 Winona State Warriors (20-3, 11-3 NSIC) dropped the opening set to Upper Iowa (15-8, 8-6 NSIC) before winning the next three sets convincingly, winning the match on the road 3-1.
In the opening frame, WSU was held to a 0.022 hitting percentage and Upper Iowa used three separate, four-point runs to take control of the set. After a late comeback attempt by the Warriors, the Peacocks took the opening set 25-22. After a slow start as a team,
Megan Flom got things rolling for the Warriors in the second set where she recorded six of her 13 kills on the night. WSU won the set 25-21 to tie the match at 1-1.
The Warriors came out firing in the third set, hitting for 18 kills with only four errors, leading to a hitting percentage of 0.333. Winona State used a run in the middle of the set to pull away from Upper Iowa and eventually won the set 25-19. The fourth set was all Warriors, holding the Peacocks to just seven kills and forcing six attack errors. WSU won the set 25-17 to take the match 3-1.
Winona State used a balanced attack, starting with setter
Bre Maloney who dished out 47 assists on the night. Four different Warriors recorded nine or more kills, where Flom led the way with 13.
Sidney Paulson (12),
Madison Larson (10), and
Madison Rizner (9) all contributed for WSU on the offensive end.
Becca Pagel denied Upper Iowa hitters to connect on their attacks by racking up 24 digs.
Casey Volkmann and
Rylee Vaughn also supplied great defense by collecting 12 digs and 10 digs, respectfully.
The Warriors will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 30 as they host #7 Concordia-St. Paul, who swept Minnesota State this evening. The match is set to begin at 1pm in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
