WAYNE, Neb. --- The Winona State volleyball team battled No. 2 Wayne State College on Friday evening at Rice Arena before falling to the nationally ranked Wildcats in three sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-15.
The Warriors fell to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in NSIC play with the loss, while Wayne State improved to 11-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
Zoe Haan led the Warriors with 15 kills while hitting .306 on 36 attacks. Abby Ongna added 12 kills, while Maddie Brown finished with eight kills and two service aces. Hailee Peters recorded 33 assists, while Lily Shields led Winona State with 15 digs. The Warriors finished the match with 43 kills, three blocks and six service aces.
Winona State and Wayne State traded points early, with the Warriors keeping the opening set within reach throughout the first half. The Wildcats built a 17-12 advantage before WSU answered with a 3-0 run, highlighted by kills from Haan and Ongna, to cut the deficit to 17-15.
The Warriors continued to battle late in the set, pulling within 24-21 after an Ongna kill. WSC closed the set on the following point to take a 1-0 match lead.
The Warriors came out strong in the second set, taking an early 6-3 advantage behind kills from Ongna and Merow. Wayne State responded to even the set at 11-11 before the two teams continued to trade points.
WSU took a 16-14 lead after a WSC attack error and later held a 19-16 advantage following an Ongna kill. The Wildcats responded with a run of their own to take a 23-21 lead, but the Warriors continued to fight back. Ongna added another kill to make it 24-22, and Winona State pulled within one at 24-23 before Wayne State secured the set 25-23.
Wayne State opened the third set with a 4-1 lead, but Winona State answered with kills from Merow, Clary and Haan to stay within striking distance. The Warriors pulled within 10-8 after consecutive Haan kills before the Wildcats extended their lead.
The Wildcats took a 16-10 advantage and continued to build its lead late in the set. Haan and Peters each recorded kills for the Warriors, but WSC closed out the match with a 25-15 third-set victory.
CHECKING THE BOX SCORE
- No. 2 Wayne State defeated Winona State 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-15).
- Haan led WSU with 15 kills while hitting .306.
- Ongna added 12 kills.
- Brown recorded eight kills and two service aces.
- Peters recorded 33 assists.
- Shields led the Warriors with 15 digs.
- Winona State finished with six service aces and three blocks.
NEWS & NOTES
- Winona State fell to 2-7 on the season (1-2 NSIC)
- Wayne State improved to 11-1 (3-0 NSIC)
- WSC now leads the all-time series 35-12
UP NEXT
Winona State will continue NSIC play on Saturday, Sept. 19, traveling to Augustana for a 2 p.m. match.
Stay connected with Winona State University Athletics all season long by following the Warriors on social media at @WinonaStateATH (X/Instagram), @winonastatewarriors (YouTube) and Winona State Warrior Athletics (Facebook). Catch full schedules, scores and stories at winonastatewarriors.com.
