BISMARCK, ND- Alexandria Harper dominated the inside, Nehkyah Ellis provided the outside attack and Kaia Sueker controlled the back line to lead the University of Mary to 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-21) victory over Augustana University, the first win in program history for the Marauders over the Vikings.
 
Augie (7-12 overall, 4-7 Northern Sun) had won the first 21 meetings with UMary (7-15, 2-10 NSIC).
 
Harper was a force at the net. The Marauders middle hitter picked up ten kills on the night, hitting a team-leading .348 for the night. She also had a game-high six block assists.
 
Ellis added 10 kills in the match to tie Harper for team honors.
 
Sueker paced the Marauder with 19 digs in the three sets. Kameron Selvig, who also had 31 assists, had 13 digs. Ally Gruber chipped in 11 digs, had five assisted blocks, two aces and six kills.
 
Augie's Kia Kriener led all players with 12 kills.
 
Down early to start the night, the Marauders rallied from a six point deficit to take their first lead of the night at 20-19 on an ace by Gruber. Augie fought back to take a 23-21 lead before UMary scored five of the last six points. A block by Gruber and Maddie Cooper provided the final point UMary needed to take set one.
 
A 7-0 run in the second set pushed UMary ahead for good at 14-8. Augie pulled within 24-22 before an emphatic kill by Ellis finished the set victory for the Marauders.
 
Another competitive third set featured 11 ties and three lead changes. The Marauders took the lead for good at 20-19 on another big kill by Ellis as UMary scored six of the final eight points to claim victory.
 
The Marauders now begin a 4-game road trip, next playing at the University of Sioux Falls on Friday, Oct. 27.
 
#marauders#