WINONA, Minn - Behind the standout play of
Madison Rizner and
Madison Larson, the #9 Winona State University volleyball team started the 2021 Warrior Homecoming weekend off in grand fashion Friday, dealing the University of Minnesota Duluth a 3-0 (27 - 25, 22 - 25, 25 - 19, 25 - 17) defeat in front of 400 fans in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
The Warriors battled back in the opening set to claim a 27-25 win and 1-0 lead. Both teams had chances to close out the set before
Sidney Paulson pounded home the kill on an assist from
Bre Maloney to the delight of the crowd.
Although Minnesota Duluth took the second set 22-25, Winona State regrouped behind a balanced offense, led by
Madison Larson who led both teams in kills with 15. WSU took set three 25-19 and put the match away at 25-17 to earn their 16th win of the season and eighth consecutive victory.
In addition to Paulson's 15 kills,
Madison Rizner had ten and contributed an eye-popping nine total blocks on the evening. Rizner's eight block assists in the match were the most by a Warrior since Lauren Kudronowicz had the same number against Wayne State on Nov. 14, 2015.
Bre Maloney dealt out 43 assists in the contest and recorded 18 digs.
Becca Pagel led the team in digs with 21, while
Megan Flom had nine kills and
Madison Larson and
Sidney Paulson racked up four total blocks apiece. Paulson and
Caleigh Jensen each had a service ace in the match.
For the #9 Warriors, their 16-1 record currently ranks as the best overall mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, as WSU is the only one-loss team in the league and own the longest winning streak.
Winona State will look to close out Homecoming with a another win tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 9 when they take on #16 St. Cloud State University. The Huskies won 3-1 at Upper Iowa tonight and will mark the third nationally ranked opponent Winona State will face this week.
Match time is set for 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 9 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.
