ABERDEEN, SD – Ally Gruber recorded her sixth double double of the season and McKenna Kirkpatrick led a University of Mary block party at the net in a 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 26-24, 25-16) Northern Sun loss to MSU Moorhead in a neutral site meeting.
 
Gruber led the Marauders in kills for a 3^rd straight NSIC contest. She terminated 14 balls plus led UMary with 22 digs. Gruber also added an ace and a block assist in the match.
 
Kirkpatrick was part of a team-leading six blocks against the Dragons attack. She had one of UMary's two solo blocks and added five block assists.
 
The Marauders finished with 20 blocks on the night that produced a season-best 11 points for UMary. Two of the blocks were solo with 18 being assisted blocks.
 
After the Dragons claimed the first set with a late run, the Marauders rebounded to claim the second set 25-23. The largest lead in the set for either team was four points, including a 24-20 advantage for the Marauders. Holding a 21-20 lead, Gruber had two kills in a 3-point UMary run. MSUM rebounded with three straight points before an attack error gave the set to UMary.
 
In a 3^rd set nailbiter, the Marauders claimed a 24-23 lead on a Maddie Cooper kill. With UMary (5-15 overall, 1-10 NSIC) serving for the win, the Dragons rattled off three straight points to pull ahead 2-1. MSU Moorhead (7-12, 4-7) continued its momentum in the fourth set to earn the Northern Sun victory.
 
Nehkyah Ellis added 11 kills and Maddie Cooper had nine for UMary. Kameron Selvig added five blocks (4 assisted), 21 assists and nine digs. Chloe Solheid had 18 digs and Kaia Sueker 17.  
 
The Marauders open a 2-game home stand with a non-conference contest against Highway 83 rival Minot State University at 6 pm on Wednesday, October 18, at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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