Box Score Marshall, Minn. – After a disappointing loss to Minot State on Tuesday, U-Mary was looking to regroup. Unfortunately for the Marauders, they were up against #1 team in the country Southwest Minnesota State. Although they played considerably better than they did against Minot State, U-Mary fell in three games to SMSU.
For the Marauders outside hitter
Allison Opp led the way offensively with a team-high 10 kills.
While hitting an unheard of .667, Devin Diedrich of the Mustangs (20-1, 12-1 NSIC) recorded a game-high 12 kills.
U-Mary knew they would have to be at their best if they wanted to beat top-ranked SMSU. The Marauders started out good in the first set, as they were able to keep it close early on. An ace by
Valerie Lesu brought U-Mary within two at 13-11. SMSU answered back, however, as they went on a 7-2 run to widen the gap to 20-13. A timeout by the Marauders closed the gap to five, but in the end the Mustangs pulled away for a 25-16 win in the first.
In the second set the Marauders got down early. An attack error by Opp gave the Mustangs the lead and they never looked back. SMSU cruised to a 25-9 win in the second set. Southwest out hit U-Mary .107 to .500 in the set.
Although they were down two games to none, the Marauders were not going to let the Mustangs win without putting up a fight. U-Mary's
Paige Smith closed the gap to 13-12 on an assist from #Emily Turkowski, SMSU was too strong again though, as they went on 10-3 run to open up the gap to eight at 23-15. The Marauders scored on the ensuing possession, but the Mustangs went on to win the set 25-17 and the game 3-0.
Smith led the Marauders in hitting at .273.
Morgan Dake led the game with three total blocks.
In the game Southwest hit a season-high .436 to U-Mary's .159.
The Marauders (3-17, 3-10 NSIC) will be back in action tomorrow night as they take on the University of Sioux Falls. This is the first time the two teams have met since they have joined they NCAA.
