MOORHEAD, Minn.- The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a five-set win over Sioux Falls (16-9, 10-7 NSIC) on Friday night (Nov. 4), winning by a 3-2 score (25-21, 20-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-7).

The win marks the first time that MSUM defeated Sioux Falls this season, bringing the Dragons overall record to 10-15 and 5-12 in NSIC play.

Junior hitter Carly Masloski led the way offensively with 13 total kills, five blocks and three digs. Redshirt-freshman Ellie Rutten powered home 11 kills hitting a .321 clip, while having a career-high nine blocks.

Redshirt-freshman Sarah Hagler had nine kills and eight blocks, while freshman Courtney Selbitschka added seven kills and nine digs. The back row defense was led by sophomore libero Monica Vega with 24 digs. The Dragons totaled 62 digs as a team. Redshirt-freshman setter Makayla Wenzel totaled 25 set assists, nine digs and one kill.

MSUM got on the scoreboard first with a kill from Rutten, on the way to a 6-2 lead. Sioux Falls battled back grabbing a 12-10 lead, but the Dragons surged back building a 24-20 lead forcing a Cougars timeout. Masloski powered home a kill after the timeout, giving MSUM the first set win 25-21.

Sioux Falls used the set intermission to rally, jumping out to a quick 7-1 lead over MSUM in the second set. The Dragons clawed back to be down only four points at 23-19. The Cougars early momentum carried them through the remainder of the second set winning 25-20.

The Dragons got back on track in the third set picking up the first point. The third set saw neither team able to build more than a three point lead until MSUM jumped ahead 24-20 thanks to a Cougar attack error. Freshman middle blocker Mikayla Larson grabbed the last point for the Dragons off a set from senior defensive specialist Katie Meyers.

Facing a win or go home situation in the fourth set, Sioux Falls used a late surge to put the set out of reach. After dropping the first two points of the set, MSUM rallied to take an 11-10 lead behind a kill from junior setter Rachel Sanow. USF used a 6-1 run to gain a 16-12 advantage, and wouldn't relinquish the lead for the remainder of the set winning 25-20.

In the fifth and final set, MSUM scored the first two points of the set off a Masloski kill and a Cougar attack error. USF grabbed the next two points to tie the set, but the Dragons used a 6-1 run to put the game out of reach. After the side change, the Cougars stole three out of four points, down just 9-6. A few costly errors from USF and kills from Rutten and Masloski finished the fifth and decisive set in favor of MSUM 15-7.

The Dragons are now 3-0 at home this season in five set matches.

MSUM returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 5 for a NSIC match against Southwest Minnesota State at 4 p.m.

MSUM Celebrates a tough five-set win over USF