BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary volleyball team continued their home stretch with a match this morning against Winona State University. The Marauders introduced some new talent to the mix to help provide the team a much-needed spark. The Marauders brought a lot of energy to the match but in the end the Warriors - the nation's 17th ranked team in preseason - was too much to handle for the Marauders as UMary fell in three straight sets (25-11, 25-22, 25-19)
With the loss the Marauders fall to 3-14 on the season and 0-9 in conference play. The Warriors are 8-9 and 5-4.
The Marauders came out strong early on in the first set to keep the match close. The Warriors eventually pulled away behind a 7-0 run and eventually took the set 25-11.
Determined not to go down without a fight today, the Marauders came out in the second set with a fire lit. The set was a back and forth thriller with the Marauders holding a 19-17 lead late. The Warriors fought back and claimed the second set 25-22
The Marauders came out with great energy in the third set. It was another thriller with the Marauders only trailing by one at 18-17 late in the set. The Warriors finished on a 6-0 run and to eventually win the third set 25-19 to clinch the match.
In her first start of the season Bailey Harms was a force to be reckoned with. The freshman recorded six kills and had a team-high two blocks. Harms had an incredible hitting percentage of .545.
The Marauders distributed the ball evenly with five players recording four or more kills. Natalia Cruz lead the way with seven kills. Anna Nietfeld and Bailey Harms each added six while Julianna Hughes pitched in five and Katja Berge had four.
The service game was on point for the Marauders, recording a total of six aces compared to the Warriors one. Anna Nietfeld and Sydney Murphy led the way for the team each recording two aces of their own.
The Warriors Sophie Wilker made it hard for the Marauders to dominate offensively as she recorded an impressive six blocks. Wilker is top three in blocks in the NSIC.
The Marauders are back on the road next week as they head to Minnesota to take on Concordia University, St. Paul and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Marauders will take on the nation's top-ranked team Concordia University, St. Paul on Friday, October 5, at 6 pm, followed up by a match at Minnesota State on Saturday, October 6, at 2 pm.
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