WAYNE, Neb. – The Winona State University volleyball team was faced with a tall task on Tuesday, playing on the road at top-ranked Wayne State College, as the Wildcats entered the week at No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National poll.
The Warriors did not go down without out a fight as they took the Wildcats to four sets, which was the first time this season the Wildcats had an opponent take a set from them on their home court. Winona State chipped away in all four sets with the help of
Lydia Lange,
Kenna Kornely, and
Sidney Paulson and their offensive abilities. Kornely was also a huge asset in the back court along with
Rylee Vaughn being able to dig up 19 and 20 of Wayne State's hard shots.
Rayliene Joens helped out the Warriors with two service aces in the battle against the Wildcats. The help from Lange, Kornely, Paulson, and Joens wasn't enough for Winona State to pull away from the Wildcats.
Winona State (11-4, 4-3 NSIC) was unable to overcome tough matchup with host Wayne State (15-1, 6-0 NSIC)
THE KEY DETAILS
Final Score: Wayne State, 3, Winona State 1 (25-19, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18)
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a back-and-forth battle out of the gate with both the Warriors and the Wildcats trading points early on. Wildcats started to pull away later in the set to soon after take the set 25-19.
The Warriors came into the second set with a point to prove. Again, going back-and-forth with Wayne State. WSU then started to take to lead a few points at a time but the Wildcats grab the second set in the last couple of points, which had the set go a few extra points.
In the third set, WSU had a point to make coming out strong and staying hot with the help of
Lydia Lange, who collected 20 total kills,
Kenna Kornely, who collected a total of 16 kills and a standout performance, and
Sidney Paulson, who collected 11 total kills. On top of the stellar performances by Lange, Kornely, and Paulson, the Warriors were the first time this season to take a set from Wayne State on their home court.
Unfortunately, Winona State was unable to stop the Wildcats in the fourth set falling 25-18.
As a team, Winona State was held a .228 hitting percentage as a team and 62 Kills in the match. Wayne State finished the contest with 60 kills and hit .283 collectively this eventing.
WINONA STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Lydia Lange, 20 Kills
Kenna Kornely, 16 Kills
Rayliene Joens, 2 Aces
Kenna Kornely, 19 Digs
Rylee Vaughn, 20 Digs
Taylor Pagel 3 Blocks
UP NEXT
Winona State returns home for a two-match NSIC weekend. WSU will host Minot State University on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. and the University of Mary on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. Both matches will be in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
