ABERDEEN, S.D.  – MSU Moorhead dominated the first and fourth sets as the performances would pace the Dragons towards a non-conference victory over Minot State on Friday evening. The match took place on a neutral floor inside Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.
 
MSUM and Minot State would trade points in the early stages of the first set as Raiah Mandell, Bridget Witzmann, Tori Thompson and Jadyn Feist would earn kills in the back and forth. Back-to-back kills from Maci Martini would help push the Dragons in front 13-8. MSUM would bring that lead to eight points later in the set thanks to three consecutive service aces from Emily Skalicky. Witzmann would close the set for the Dragons with a kill to secure a 25-15 win in the first frame. 
 
The Beavers would remain competitive in the second set as they would tie the Dragons at four points each early in the frame. Once again, MSUM would go on a burst to take a 10-6 lead thanks to a kill from Abby Thompson. The Dragons would remain in front in the set until the Beavers managed to tie the set at 16 points each. Minot State would take a 19-17 lead in the race to 25 late in the set. 
 
A 5-0 response from the Dragons would put them in a prime position to take the second frame. However, Minot State would not go away quietly, tying the match at 22 points. Abby Thompson and Tori Thompson would each have a kill as part of a 3-0 Dragon stretch to close the frame. MSUM had a .294 hitting mark in the set. 
 
Minot State would take set three to stay alive in the match overall. Neither squad would strike the ball especially well with the Beavers hitting .026 to MSUM's .000 mark. Although MSUM played the cleaner set, only registering nine attack errors, Minot State would earn a close 25-23 decision in the third frame. 
 
The Beavers looked to be in control of the fourth set initially, before the Dragons rallied back from a 9-6 deficit. MSUM would go on an 11-0 run to take a commanding 17-9 lead. The stretch was highlighted by kills from Tori Thompson, Jadyn Feist and two service aces from Emily Ramsay. MSUM would not look back from there, winning set four 25-16 and the match. 
 
Top Dragons
 

• Tori Thompson: 11 kills, two block solos, three block assists
• Bridget Witzmann: 10 kills, 16 digs, one block solo, one block assist
• Maci Martini: Eight kills
• Jadyn Feist: Seven kills, five block assists
• Abby Thompson: Six kills, three block assists

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (6-12, 2-7 NSIC) remains in Aberdeen for another match tomorrow afternoon as the Dragons match up with Mary at 2 p.m. from Wachs Arena.