WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University volleyball team battled the seventh-ranked Southwest Minnesota State in a WSU Homecoming matchup on Saturday, Oct. 14, falling to the Mustangs 3-0.
WSU was within striking distance in all three sets, falling 25-21, 25-21, 25-22, but SMSU was able to close out the set each time.
Key Details: Southwest Minnesota State 3, Winona State 0
Attendance: 464
How It Happened
In the first set, the two teams traded points, with neither side pulling away by more than two at any stage early on. At 19-19, Southwest Minnesota State claimed four of five points to get north of the 20-point plateau.
Sidney Paulson helped keep WSU close by notching a kill to pull WSU back two within one at 22-21, but the Mustangs would take the final three points and the set.
In the second stanza, both squads again found themselves knotted several times early on. The Warriors and Mustangs were tied at 7-7, 9-9 and 11-11 before Southwest Minnesota State used a three-point run to take the lead. A kill by
Lydia Lange and service ace by
Kylie Welch helped keep WSU within reach at the mid-point of the frame. Winona State would draw back to a 18-18 tie, thanks in part to a kill by
Sophia Armstrong. Although
Jayda Berg would pick up one more kill, SMSU would go on to win set two, 25-21.
The third set was the best start of the day for Winona State as the Warriors took a 3-0 lead on a pair of kills by
Gianna Vollrath and one from
Jayda Berg. Unfortunately, SMSU would answer quickly, storming back to eventually stake a 6-4 advantage.
Kenna Kornely helped WSU tie up the contest at 17-17 with a kill, but the Mustangs would win the battle of trading points, closing out the set - and the match - at 25-22.
WSU Statistical Standouts
Sidney Paulson, 14 Kills, 10 Digs
Jayda Berg, 12 Kills, 2 Blocks
Gianna Vollrath, 10 Kills, Blocks 1
Jaci Winchell, 33 Assists
Rylee Vaughn, 20 digs
Up Next:
Winona State (14-5, 6-4 NSIC) will travel to the University of Minnesota Crookston for a 6 p.m. start against the Golden Eagles.
