SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team rolled to a 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 win over Black Hills State to close out the Augustana Volleyball Showcase in Sioux Falls, S.D. The win gave MSUM a split on the day, as the Dragons lost a heart-breaking five-set contest to Northwest Missouri State to open the day, 25-20, 25-19, 24-26, 21-25, 21-19.

MSUM is now 7-1 on the year. The loss to Northwest Missouri State ended a six-match winning streak for the Dragons.

Senior setter Casie Baer had 37 set assists in the win over Black Hills State. Senior middle blocker Kaitlin VanWinkle had a match-high 14 kills while junior middle blocker Kelsey Hartkopf had nine kills.  Senior libero Amber Krenske and redshirt freshman defensive specialist Monica Vega both had 10 digs on the night. Hartkopf had three block assists.

The Dragons trailed early in the first set (5-3) before scoring six straight points to take control, thanks to a serving run from senior Abby Wolpern. VanWinkle had three kills to ignite the Dragons. MSUM was never threatened the rest of the set in a 25-13 win. VanWinkle hit .700 and had seven kills to pace the Dragons.

The first half of the second set was close, as Black Hills State led 11-9 at one point. MSUM turned the tables quickly, scoring nine of the next 10 points to take an 18-12 lead. Sophomore hitter Claire Grimm had three kills to lead that surge. From there, MSUM was in control in a 25-15 win.

MSUM built a 17-9 lead in the third set and cruised to a 25-12 win.  Wolpern had four kills and hit .667 to lead a balanced MSUM attack.

Against Northwest Missouri State, VanWinkle paced MSUM with 20 kills Hartkopf had 11 and senior Wolpern had 10. Baer had 53 set assists while Krenske had 18 digs.

MSUM trailed 2-0 in the match but won the third and fourth sets to force a decisive fifth set.  In the final set, MSUM served for the match three times but was unable to get the final point. NWMS scored the final three points of the set to secure the win.
Facing a two-set deficit, the Dragons were in danger of being swept late in the third before rallying. MSUM was down 24-21 but scored the final five points of the set to earn a thrilling 26-24 win. Sophomore hitter Carly Masloski and VanWinkle each had a kill and a block assist to key the Dragon comeback.

MSUM faced a 17-16 deficit in the fourth set but scored five consecutive points to take a 21-17 lead. Grimm had a kill and a block while Vega had a service ace. Moments later, a VanWinkle kill finished off a 25-21 Dragon win, pushing the match to a fifth set.

The final set was an intense battle, with 16 ties and eight lead changes.  MSUM staved off two match points and took a 19-18 lead before the Bearcats scored the final three points to secure the win.

The Dragons open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Thursday at Minot State. The match begins at 7 p.m. in Minot, N.D.