BISMARCK, ND – Behind a balanced scoring attack, the University of Mary tried to throw a late September scare into national-ranked Winona State University. The Marauders pushed the Warriors in the first two sets before #13 Winona State easily claimed the third to stop the homestanding Marauders 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-13).
 
Trailing by no more than three points early in the first set, back to back kills by Marauders freshman Morgan Schnabel and senior Katelyn Olson knotted the score at 16-16. WSU tried to pull away but UMary stayed within striking distance. A Madison Berghold kill pulled the Marauders within 23-22 and Freddie Campbell put away the ball at 24-23 but neither time could UMary even the score.
 
Down by as many as nine points in the second set, the Marauders turned to Lauren Randall, the kills leader in the Northern Sun. The senior outside hitter terminated four balls in an 11-4 run. Consecutive kills by Schnabel closed the Marauders (5-10 overall / 1-5 NSIC) to 24-22 but Maria Wrage ended the match with one of her six kills on the night for the Warriors (10-4 / 4-2).
 
The Marauders hung tough out of intermission before the Warriors demonstrated why they are ranked nationally, closing the night on a 14-5 run.
 
Randall produced her eighth double double of the season with 10 kills and 15 digs. Schnabel added eight kills and hit a team-high .316 for the game. Natalia Cruz had 11 digs and five kills. Geovana Almeida had a game-high 16 digs. Olson distributed 29 assists.
 
Danielle Rampart finished with a team-leading 10 kills for Winona State and eight digs. Jordan Runge and Kate Masberg each had eight kills and combined for just a single attack error.
 
The Marauders return to the McDowell Activity Center early Saturday for a 9 am match against Upper Iowa University.
 
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