Volleyball ends its season with two wins
Jenna Peterson
Staff Writer
The Minnesota State Mavericks volleyball team finished their regular season on a strong note, collecting two wins against the Bemidji State Beavers and Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles.
On Nov. 15, the Beavers traveled to the Taylor Center, where they fell short of the Maverick’s power and determination. MSU started the first set with an early lead of 6-2, relying on the attack of senior Morgan Olson. Once the Beavers tied the set at 8-8, the Mavericks rolled off a 7-0 run to take a dominating lead and won the set 25-15.
The Beavers were able to keep the score close in the second set, but the Mavericks fought back with an 8-3 run, allowing them to win the set 25-16. The last set was very similar, with a 5-1 start for MSU. The team was able to hold a 9-4 lead and eventually rattled off a 7-0 run, highlighted by some outstanding serves from junior Mara Quam. Without a second thought, the Mavericks ended the set with a 25-15 win.
Olson led the team with 13 kills on 26 attempts and senior Ashton Lee and freshman Jessica Nelson finished with nine and eight kills.
Sophomore Dana Schindler recorded 36 assists for the team and Quam ended with 19 digs.
Saturday’s game against the Golden Eagles started neck-and-neck in the first set. The Mavericks drew in their first lead when they went up 18-17. Succeeding the lead change, MSU didn’t look behind them and went on an 8-0 run and won the first set 25-17.
The Beavers managed to take the lead in the beginning of the second set, but the Mavericks brought in a pair of 3-0 runs that drove them to an 8-7 lead. Crookston took their first timeout with the Mavericks up 14-9 after a 4-0 run. They then took their second timeout after Minnesota State drew out a 19-12 lead. The Mavericks ended the set with a 25-16 win.
The third and final set started with a quick start from the Mavericks due to a 6-1 lead. The Mavericks were able to swiftly end the set with a score of 25-8.
Olson led the team in kills with 14, while Nelson was a runner-up with nine kills of her own.
Schindler brought in 37 assists, with Quam following with 21 digs.
That concludes the Mavericks season, finishing with an 18-01 record and 11-9 in conference play.
Header photo by Mansoor Ahmad/MSU Reporter.