BISMARCK, ND - The MAC was packed again as the Marauders faithful witnessed great competition for a first season win in the Northern Sun Friday night. Despite many strong performances, the University of Mary Volleyball team was edged by just a handful of points by Minnesota State in a 3-0 (22-25, 22-25, 24-26) defeat. 

The Marauders (4-9, 0-5 NSIC) showed resilience by tying up the score four times in the opening set. Despite hot starts from Ally Gruber and Maddie Cooper, the Mavericks (6-7, 1-4 NSIC) managed to pull away on the final points 25-22 for a set one victory. 

The back-and-forth tempo carried forward into set number two with both squads trading off the lead the whole way through. However, a pair of kills from Sophie Tietz gave the Mavericks another 25-22 set win and a two-set advantage. Five Marauders finished the frame with multiple points. 

In set three, the Marauders managed to pull ahead for a late 24-22 lead behind a combined 8 kills from Gruber and Cooper. However, one Marauders service error and three consecutive kills from Sophie Tietz gave the Mavericks a comeback from a match-point deficit and a three-set victory after clinching 26-24. Tietz led the game with 16 kills. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Maddie Cooper played all-around tough Friday night to earn North Dakota Petroleum Foundation Player of the Game. The junior from Fargo, ND had 9 kills, 4.0 total blocks, and 2 ace serves. 

Ally Gruber led the Marauders in kills with 10 and tied Cooper for the blocks lead with 4.0 total. 

Alexandria Harper had 8 kills and 2.0 total blocks. 

Kameron Selvig had 31 assists. 

Chloe Solheid and Emily Baumstarck both added aces from the service line. 

UP NEXT
UMary Volleyball wraps up their weekend on Saturday afternoon against #8 Southwest Minnesota State (10-2, 3-1 NSIC). First serve will be at 2 p.m. from the MAC. 

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