Box Score BISMARCK, N.D. – The University of Mary struggled early in it's Northern Sun opener against Minot State University and a late rally fell just short in a four set loss to the Beavers.
 
U-Mary was down early in the first set, falling into a 7-3 hole before battling back to take the lead at 10-9. Minot State would then go on a 7-1 run to extend the lead to 16-11. U-Mary could not find a solution as the Beavers would hold onto the lead and close out the set 25-18.
 
The Marauders struggles continued into the second set as Minot State jumped out to an early 6-1 lead and would not look back. U-Mary narrowed the margin to 7-5 but the Beavers' attack could not be stopped. Minot State controlled the majority of the set to put the Marauders away 25-13.
 
U-Mary found a groove going into the third set as they battled back and forth with Minot State to keep the score 7-7 before rallying off four straight points to extend the lead 11-7. The Beavers would not go quietly as an attack front from Jen Dixon and Mallory Sall gave Minot State the lead at 15-14 in the middle of a five point rally resulting in a 17-14 Marauder deficit. The Marauders would not go quietly as they fought back to tie the score at 22-22 before they secured the set on a 3-1 run to close it out 25-23.
 
The fourth set is where things got interesting. The Marauders worked their offense to earn an 8-6 lead before the Beavers would respond and jump ahead 14-8. A few timeouts from U-Mary helped swing the momentum back in favor of the Marauders as they earned the next two points. However, there was some confusion from the officiating after the score became 18-12 in favor of the Beavers. On back-to-back rallies the Marauders appeared to have a kill after Minot State dig attempts. However the officials believed the Beavers were able to dig the attack before the ball hit the ground. This resulted in two replays being issued which would not slow the Marauders as they fought back to narrow the gap to 18-16. U-Mary and Minot State would trade points like clockwork but the Marauders highlighted their offense as they closed the score to 23-22. After a point from the Beavers the Marauder would respond with one of their own to keep the set close at 24-23, but it would not be enough as the leading attacker for Minot State, Mallory Sall, put the game away after notching her 20th kill.
 
Lauren Randell missed out on a double double by one dig as she finished with 12 kills, 40 attacks, 1 assist, two aces, and nine digs. Paige Smith was incredibly active on the net as she earned five kills, 11 attacks, .273 attack percentage, one assist four digs, one solo block, and a team leading six block assists. Alex Brown continued her steady display of defense as she led the Marauders with 30 digs, many from Dixon, six assists, and one ace.  Janell Finkbeiner and Katelyn Olson would both assist the Marauder attack as Finkbeiner finished with 13 assists, one kill, and one dig, and Olson would finish with 14 assists, 2 kills, two digs, and four block assists.
 
Later this week the Marauders (3-7, 0-1 NSIC) continue their conference schedule as they travel to Fayette, Iowa, to take on Upper Iowa on Friday, Sept. 19. They will then travel to Winona, Minn., to face Winona State on Saturday, Sept. 20, and finally finish their road trip on Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Aberdeen, S.D., to battle against #21 Northern State.