SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State University volleyball team fell just short in the NSIC Volleyball Tournament championship match, as St. Cloud State defeated the Warriors 3-1.
The first set started neck-and-neck as things were all knotted up at 11-11. St. Cloud State then won four of the next five points and took control of the set. The Warriors had just a .091 hitting percentage in the set and dropped it by a score of 17-25.
Set two was back-and-forth all the way through. WSU jumped out to a slim lead 8-6 before SCSU went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Warriors bounced back and took the lead forcing a St. Cloud State timeout at 14-13. After trading leads the Huskies saw a set point, but the Warriors were able to fend it off. St. Cloud State eventually took the set, 26-24.
Winona State struggled out of the gate in the must-win third set and found themselves down 4-8. They bounced right back and tied it up at 8-8, but St. Cloud State had an answer and the Warriors found themselves trailing once again, this time 10-16. With their backs against the wall,
Joe Getzin rallied his team and WSU went on a tear to tie the set at 22 apiece. Back-to-back
Sidney Paulson finished things off as Winona State won the set, 25-22.
The Huskies came out firing in the fourth set, taking an 8-3 lead. Winona State slowly made their way back into the set, getting within one point at 12-13 to bring the "Road Warriors" alive. SCSU was able to win five of the next six points and take an 18-13 lead. WSU once again battled back, but couldn't complete the comeback as St. Cloud State won the set 25-21 to take the match 3-1.
The Warriors were led by
Megan Flom's game-high 22 kills.
Madison Rizner had a great match with 18 kills of her own.
Becca Pagel corralled 22 digs to lead the Warriors;
Casey Volkmann and
Rylee Vaughn also contributed with 10 digs each.
Bre Maloney spread the ball and connected with six teammates for 45 assists, while also collecting 13 digs.
Flom and Maloney were named to the NSIC Volleyball All-Tournament Team for their outstanding efforts throughout the tournament.
Winona State has built one of the nation's best resumes as they are ranked eighth in the nation and fifth in the current NCAA DII Central Region rankings. The top eight teams, including three automatic qualifiers in the region qualify for the regional tournament. WSU will have their eyes set on the NCAA Division II Volleyball selection show, which will be streamed on Monday, Nov. 22 at 6:30pm on NCAA.com.
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.
