MOORHEAD, Minn. - A hard fought battle took place at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse on Saturday as the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons were on the short end of the match, losing 3-0 to the No. 11 Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks (25-21, 25-18, 25-21).

The Dragons took an early lead, capitalizing on Mavericks' errors, 10-4 before the top-ranked team took a time out. The Mavericks took back the ball on a kill and the momentum to tie the game at 14. Minnesota State, Mankato took the lead for good 17-16 on a Dragons service error and followed it with three consecutive kills to take the four point edge and the set.

The lead changed sides five times and the set was tied four times before the 17-16, Mavericks lead, plagued the Dragons yet again, as five serves from Kelly Sandstorm put the Mavericks up 23-17 that pushed the second set to the visitors side of the scoreboard.

In the third set it was the Dragons who reached the 17 mark first as they broke the tie at 16 on a block by Kristen Kleven and Heidi Lensing. It was the third assisted block for MSU Moorhead in the five points leading up to the Dragons's 17-16 lead.

The Mavericks returned the huge block when the game was tied at 20 to take the lead for good, winning on a kill by match kills leader, Amanda Beekman. She had 11 kills in the three set match, leading both teams.

The Dragons record moves to 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the NSIC, while the Mavericks continue to be unbeaten in league play (8-0) and move their overall record to 18-2.

MSU Moorhead will travel to Augustana (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Wayne State (Wayne, Neb.) next weekend to continue action in the NSIC. Friday's game against AC will start at 7 p.m. and Saturday's match will be played at 4 p.m.