Aberdeen, S.D. – The University of Mary (5-5, 0-1 NSIC) was on the road for its first Northern Sun conference match but the Marauders weren't able to secure the road victory.

No. 10 Northern State (8-1, 1-0 NSIC) beat Mary 3-0 with set scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-20 on Thursday, Sept. 15 at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.  

Junior outside hitter Lauren Randall led the way for the Marauders with 18 kills, 14 digs and a .250 hitting percentage. Senior Alex Brown led the Marauders in digs with 16 and senior setter Janell Finkbeiner had 31 assists. Her sixth match of the season with 20-plus assists.

But the Wolves used a .314 hitting percentage and 11 kills from Tori Biach and Kellie Schmit apiece to earn its first conference victory of the season.

Mary led 5-4 early in the first set after a Thayna Silva kill but the Wolves quickly regained the lead after a Schmit kill and a few Marauder attacking errors. NSU continued to dominate the first set and never lost the lead after trailing 5-4 to win the first set.

Mary had an early lead again in the second set after a Randall kill but the Wolves scored the next nine points to take the 13-6 lead and the Marauders were never able to climb back in the set.

After tying the score at 2-2 in the third and final set, the Marauders fought back late in the set after another Silva kill. The score was 20-17 in favor of the home team and the Wolves were able to keep that lead for the win.

Silva finished with seven kills and 11 digs for the Marauders as Mary finished with a .172 hitting percentage.

Mary will play another NSIC opponent in Minnesota State University Moorhead Saturday, Sept. 17 at McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck, N.D. It will be the Marauders 2016 home opener.

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