SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Winona State University volleyball team fell to the University of Sioux Falls 3-1 on Saturday, Nov. 11, wrapping up the 2023 NSIC regular season. WSU claimed the opening set 25-21 but USF would go on to take three straight stanzas to earn the win. Despite the setback, Winona State (18-9, 10-8 NSIC) qualified for the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Tournament, as announced by the league following the conclusion of play around the league.
In Sioux Falls, Winona State's set one 25-21 win in the opening frame was matched by the Cougars, who would go on to win set two 25-21, set three 25-19 as well as the fourth and final frame, 25-22. WSU hit .333 as a team, compared to USF's .331 overall.
Individually, Winona State was led by
Sidney Paulson with 18 kills, while
Gianna Vollrath had 10.
Jaci Winchell led WSU with 28 assists and
Ashlyn Steding added 21 to the Warrior effort. Three Winona State players;
Lydia Lange,
Sidney Paulson and
Gianna Vollrath, tallied three blocks apiece. The Warriors also racked up six service aces, with
Kylie Welch,
Rylee Vaughn and
Ashlyn Steding netting two each.
Winona State concluded the 2023 regular season with a 18-9 overall mark and a 10-9 NSIC ledger. The University of Sioux Falls finished the year at 13-14 overall and 9-9 in the NSIC. With the win in Sioux Falls, the Cougars qualified for the 2023 tournament as the No. 8 seed, while Winona State earned the No. 7 seed. The University of Minnesota Duluth finished tied with WSU on league-record (10-8) but held the tiebreaker over the Warriors.
In the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Tournament, Winona State will open play at second-seeded Concordia University, St. Paul on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Head coach
Joe Getzin and the Warriors will see first serve at 6 p.m. in the Ganglehoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. The winner of the CSP - WSU matchup will face the winner of the Minnesota Duluth - Southwest Minnesota State first-round contest.
For more on the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Tournament, head
to this link.
The quarterfinal round matches will be free to view on the NSIC Network. The semifinals and championship matches will be behind a paywall as fans can purchase a match for $10 or a tournament pass (all three matches) for $15.
