WINONA, Minn. - The #9 Winona State University volleyball team fell just short in a back-and-forth match against #16 St. Cloud State University, 3-2.
The Warriors started the evening strong, winning the first four points of the opening set and they never looked back, taking the first set by a score of 25-19.Â
Madison Rizner continued her strong play, connecting for kills on six of seven attacks in the first set.Â
The second set featured early runs by both teams, before trading off points throughout the set. With the Warriors leading 18-17, the Huskies broke free and ended the set on a scoring run of 8-1 to win the set 25-18, and even the match at a set a piece.Â
Set three was a whirlwind of a set, featuring many lead changes that ultimately ended in an extra-point victory for St. Cloud State, 27-25. Each team had their fair share of runs, leading to the Warriors serving for the set at 24-23. The Huskies saved the set point, and went on two win three of the next four points to claim the pivotal third set.Â
Winona State got off to a hot start in the fourth set, scoring the first four points once again but saw their lead vanish as the Huskies went on a run of their own. The Warriors stayed focused and relied on
Bre Maloney's 14 assists to five different teammates, which led to a 25-21 set four victory, forcing a fifth and deciding set.Â
In the final frame, the Huskies jumped out to an early lead and the Warriors were unable to come back. St. Cloud State ended up winning the set by a score of 15-11 to win the match 3-2. The Warriors are now 16-2 overall and 7-2 within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Maloney's career-best 59 assists highlighted the night for the Warriors. She was able to connect with five different teammates, who all had double-digit kills. Rizner led WSU with 17 kills,
Megan Flom connected for 15,
Madison Larson had 14 kills,
Caleigh Jensen swung for 13, and
Sidney Paulson racked up 10 of her own.Â
Becca Pagel was great on the defensive side of the court once again, racking up 46 service receptions and collecting 27 digs.
The Warriors will be back in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court on Friday, October 15 at 6:00pm to take on the Mustangs from Southwest Minnesota State who are currently ranked #11 in the nation. WSU will then host the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, October 16 at 4:00.Â
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:Â
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com andÂ
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:Â
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:Â
Graduate Champions. Â
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.
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