BISMARCK, ND – A tremendous start and a fast finish earned the University of Mary volleyball a 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 22-25, 25-12) victory over visiting Highway 83 rival Minot State University. Nehkyah Ellis, Maddie Cooper and Ally Gruber led the Marauders most efficient attack of the season to earn UMary a season sweep of the Beavers.  
 
Ellis, Cooper and Gruber all cracked double digits in kills as UMary hit a season-best .328 in the non-conference match. Ellis and Gruber also chipped in double doubles.
 
Gruber, who didn't commit an attack error, had 12 kills and hit .500 on the night. She added 15 digs and five assisted blocks.
 
Cooper also has highly effective, hitting .393 as she registered 14 kills. The UMary middle hitter had two aces and added one solo and three assisted blocks.
 
The Marauders defense had a big night, totaling 10.0 team blocks and limiting the Beavers to a hitting percentage of .181. Alexandria Harper was a stalwart at the net with six blocks (all solo).
 
Harper also played a big role offensively with eight kills and a .467 attack percentage.
 
Kaia Sucker led four Marauders in double figures in digs as the UMary libero led the squad with 16. Chloe Solheid chipped in 13.
 
In addition to a team-leading 15 kills, Ellis had a big night at the service line. The senior outside hitter posted a game-high four aces. She also had 12 digs.
 
Directing the Marauders offense was Kameron Selvig. The senior setter dished out 48 assists on the night and posted three kills plus two aces. Overall the Marauders served 10 aces to two for the Beavers.
 
Emily Kotelnikoff led all players with 17 kills for the Beavers. Sydney Upton added 11.
 
The Marauders never trailed in the opening set and used a Cooper kill to take a 15-8 lead. UMary eventually rolled off nine of the final 13 points to take the opening set.
 
The Marauders kept rolling in set two and grabbed a 13-6 lead on an Emily Torgborg kill. The Beavers fought back to tie the set at 21-21 before another kill by Torborg and two by Cooper keyed a 4-1 run by the Marauders to give UMary the second set.
 
After a narrow loss in set three, UMary (6-15, 1-10 NSIC) again found its mojo and claimed a 15-6 lead on an Ellis kill to force Minot State (2-18, 1-11 NSIC) to take a timeout in a futile hope of slowing the Marauders momentum.
 
The Marauders next host Augustana in a cancer awareness game on Friday, Oct. 20. The Northern Sun game is slated for 6 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
#marauders#