Volleyball snags two on the road

Team improves to a dominant 10-3 record on the season.

Kolby Spomer
Staff Writer

This weekend, the Maverick volleyball squad took on two teams in a long road trip, starting on Friday by taking down Augustana 3-1 on the road.  

The first set saw Augustana gain an early five-point lead that they maintained all the way to an advantage of 18-10.  The Mavericks then rallied behind the serving of sophomore Mara Quam and went on a 6-1 run forcing the Vikings to use their first timeout. 

The comeback was not to be, however, when a block attempt ricocheted out of bounds, giving Augustana the first set 25-23.

In the second set the Mavericks grabbed an early 6-4 advantage after Quam made a diving save that gave junior Morgan Olson a chance to slap home a kill. The Vikings then turned the tables, pulling ahead to an 11-9 lead, forcing a Maverick timeout. 

A 5-1 run from the Mavericks proved to be impossibly important as they jumped ahead to a 20-15 lead. With a 5-2 run they claimed the second set and tied the match. 

The third set began hotly contested with Augustana posting a 14-12 lead that forced a Maverick timeout. The Mavericks proceeded to tie the match where it remained close until they pulled ahead with a 22-19 advantage they would not relinquish, claiming the third set 25-21 giving them a 2-1 advantage in sets.

The fourth set saw the Mavericks snag an 8-3 lead in the opening minutes. The Mavericks did not struggle maintaining that lead and found themselves in command late with a 21-13 lead forcing a Viking timeout. 

The advantage was too much for Augustana to overcome and the Mavericks took the final set 25-17, winning the match 3-1.

Olson led all Mavericks with 15 kills in the match. Quam led the team in digs with 25, several of them in very impressive fashion. Setter Micayla Porter led the team in assists with 31 and added five service aces. 

After this much needed victory, the volleyball team headed to Wayne, NE, but sadly fell in five sets to the Wayne State Wildcats.

The Wildcats grabbed an early lead in the first set and the Mavericks were never able to catch up, eventually dropping the set 25-11. 

The Mavericks showed up in the second set, however, keeping it close and tying the match 21-21.  Sadly, Wayne State took advantage of a 4-0 run to take a massive 2-0 match lead.

Using the momentum gained in the second set, the Mavericks took over the next match. With an ace from outside hitter Joie Veldman and a kill from outside hitter Alivia Garbe, they closed out the set 25-17 to make the score 2-1. 

The fourth set was hard fought but the Mavericks were able to prevail and take the set 25-21 and force a decisive fifth set.

Minnesota State took a quick 2-0 lead, but the Wildcats had seemingly had enough of the comeback, ending the game 15-12 and winning the match for Wayne State.

Alivia Garbe led all players in kills with 21 and Morgan Olson added 20. Mara Quam led all players in digs with 19 while Micayla Porter led the Mavericks in assists with 31. 

After the weekend, the Mavs are now 10-3 on the season. Next game is scheduled for Friday against Southwest Minnesota State at home at the Taylor Center. Game time is set for 6 p.m. 

Feature photo by Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter.