MOORHEAD, MN – Looking to build off a strong performance from earlier in the week, the University of Mary pushed hard to claim the opening set before MSU Moorhead found its stride in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-18) home sweep for the Dragons over the Marauders.
 
Nekyah Ellis led the Marauders with another strong offensive performance. The junior outside hitter racked up 12 kills in the match to reach double digits for the seventh time. Ellis also added six digs.
 
The Marauders (3-20 overall / 2-13 NSIC) jumped out to a 5-1 lead in what would be a close first set that featured 12 ties and six lead changes. UMary took its last lead at 20-19 on a kill by Ellis before MSUM posted the next two points. A service error by MSUM (7-16/4-11) tied the game at 21-21 but the Dragons rebounded to score the next two points. Kills by Maddie Cooper and Robi Binagi twice pulled UMary within a point – the second at 24-23 – before MSUM scored the final point in taking the set 25-23.
 
The Dragons led wire to wire to take the second set 25-14. The Marauders made a couple runs in the third in hopes of extending the match but the Dragons kept slowly pulling away to eventually take set three 25-18 and claim victory.
 
Kaia Sueker had another huge day for UMary in the back row. The sophomore setter piled up a match-high 23 digs. She ranks second in the Northern Sun in digs/game at 4.75. Sueker also had two aces.
 
Cooper and Reyna Isenbart both had four kills for UMary. Maddy Freed had 26 assists and seven digs.
 
Bridget Witzman led all players with 13 kills for MSUM. She also had 11 digs.
 
The Marauders next visit Minot State University on October 25. UMary then closes out its home schedule with a pair of home matches October 28-29.
 
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