MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Winona State University volleyball team defeated Northwood University 3-1 (25-9, 2-15, 16-26, 25-15) to complete the sweep of the 2023 season-opening weekend in Michigan. The victory was the second of the day for WSU, Winona State also picked up a win earlier in the day on Saturday, downing Lake Superior State 3-1 in morning match against the Lakers.
With the win, Winona State moves to 4-0 on the season, matching the 2021 team which also started their campaign with four straight wins.
KEY DETAILS:
Final Score - Winona State 3, Lake Superior State 1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-20)
Attendance: 206
The Warriors dropped the opening set, but stormed back to win three frames in a row to dispatch LSSU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lakers put together a trio of four-point runs in the first set to claim the opening frame 25-22. However, Winona State would go on to win the next three sets to cruise to victory.
Winona State opened the second set with a five-point opening stanza and took three of the final four points to notch their first set win. In the third set, WSU ran out to leads of 11-3 and 20-13 en route to taking the third set.
In the fourth, the Warriors found themselves down 6-1 at the start, but battled back to claim the frame, and the win, thanks in large part to a nine-point run midway through the set.
Sidney Paulson sealed the win at 25-20 on a kill, from an assist by
Jaci Winchell.
Gianna Vollrath collected 16 kills to lead Winona State. Riley Vaughn led Winona State in digs with 21, while
Anna Hennessy and
Sidney Paulson also reached double-digits defensively, with 14 and 10 digs, respectively.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
With the victory, Winona State stretched their winning streak over Lake Superior State to three consecutive wins, dating back to Sept. 3, 2010.
WINONA STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Kills:
Gianna Vollrath (16),
Sidney Paulson (14)
Aces:
Gianna Vollrath, 2;
Rylee Vaughn 1;
Sidney Paulson, 1.
Blocks:
Lydia Lange, 2;
Gianna Vollrath, 2;
Sidney Paulson, 1.
Assists:
Jaci Winchell 43,
Rylee Vaughn, 3
Digs:
Rylee Vaughn, 21;
Sidney Paulson, 14;
Anna Hennessy, 14.
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE PERFORMERS
Mariana Velasqu, 17 Kills
Emily Kalinowski, 41 Assists
Emily Hagelthorn, 23 Digs
KEY DETAILS:
Final Score - Winona State 3, Northwood University 1 (25-9, 25-15, 16-25, 25-15)
Attendance: 127
Winona State started in dominant fashion, winning set one 25-9 and set two 25-15. The Warriors' momentum stalled briefly as the Timberwolves claimed set three, but WSU regained their collective form to close out the match in four, 25-15.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors traded points with Northwood in the first set until six-point run pushed the team clear for easy win.
Winona State vaulted out to a 14-7 lead in the second set and kept Northwood at bay the rest of the way to go up 2-0 in the match.
Northwood would briefly turn the tables on Winona State in the third frame, moving out to a 5-1 lead at the start. NU took three of the final four points to earn their only set win of the contest.
In the fourth, WSU again dominated play, holding a 22-9 lead at one point. Northwood chipped away to mount a comeback effort, but a kill by
Gianna Vollrath and a block by
Jayda Berg closed out the victory for head coach
Joe Getzin and his team.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
As with their matchup with Michigan Tech to start the trip, the contest against Northwood was the first time WSU had faced the Timberwolves.
WINONA STATE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
Kills:
Gianna Vollrath (9),
Sidney Paulson (9)
Lydia Lange (9)
Aces:
Gianna Vollrath, 2;
Rylee Vaughn 1;
Sidney Paulson, 1.
Blocks:
Gianna Vollrath, 5;
Taylor Pagel, 2;
Jayda Berg 2
Assists:
Jaci Winchell, 35;
Anna Hennessy 2.
Digs:
Rylee Vaughn,16;
Jaci Winchell, 13;
Anna Hennessy, 7.
NORTHWOOD TOP PERFORMERS
Sydney Hasenfrantz, 11 kills
Renee Brines, 29 Assists
MacKelle Thompson, 12 Digs
UP NEXT:
Winona State (4-0, 0-0 NSIC) travels to Kenosha, Wis. to take on four opponents at the Hampton Inn Invitational, hosted by UW-Parkside on Sept. 8-9.
