SIOUX FALLS, SD – Maddie Cooper had another career day leading the University of Mary volleyball team to a valiant effort against Augustana University during Viking Days. Despite back-and-forth action from beginning to end, the Marauders came up short to the Vikings in a three-set defeat (26-24, 25-20, 25-18).

Robi Binagi gained the first points of the evening on a kill followed by a block alongside Maddie Cooper. Cooper struck for two more kills to forge a 7-4 lead forcing the Vikings (15-6, 7-6 NSIC) to burn an early timeout. The Marauders (3-18, 2-11 NSIC) went back and forth with the Vikings until gaining an 18-14 advantage behind Binagi and Cooper's solid attack. Both the Marauders and Vikings would get to set-point opportunities before an ace serve by Avery Thorson ended the set 26-24 in favor of Augustana.

Maddie Cooper continued her nice attack early in the second set as the Marauders tied up with the Vikings 9-9 and managed to keep the score close thereafter. The Marauders looked resilient staying close with the Vikings but eventually fell 25-20 in another close affair in set two.

A kill by Reyna Isenbart would start set three but Augustana would slowly build a lead that they would hold for the remainder of set three. A 25-18 score halted the Marauders efforts and give Augustana the match in three sets. The Vikings outhit the Marauders with 43 kills and a 0.187 hitting percentage, and UMary had 30 total kills with a team 0.155 hitting percentage.

Maddie Cooper was outstanding as the sophomore from Fargo, ND had a career-high 13 kills while hitting 0.462 to lead the Marauders attack. She also added two blocks.

Robi Binagi would add five kills and Nehkyah Ellis, Reyna Isenbart, and McKenna Kirkpatrick all added four kills each.

Maddy Freed dished out 27 assists, and Kaia Sueker was solid in the back row digging up 21 balls. Nehkyah Ellis would also add 12 digs and Chloe Lieser pitched in 9.

UP NEXT
The University of Mary volleyball team will be back in the MAC for a homecoming week showdown with Northern State University (12-9, 7-6 NSIC) on Thursday, October 20 at 6 pm. The Marauders then embark on the road to Minnesota State University Moorhead (5-16, 2-11 NSIC) for a 2 pm matchup on Saturday, October 22.

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