MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball came out with a renewed sense of spirit following a loss on Friday evening, but the top-ranked Wayne State Wildcats bested the Dragons in straight sets on Saturday.
Wayne State would jump out in front in the first set, building an early 16-11 advantage as the Dragon offense struggled to get themselves established.
Bridget Witzmann would tally four kills in the set for MSUM, who would hold firm with the Wildcats until the visitors rattled off six straight points to lead 22-11. Witzmann,
Maci Martini and
Raiah Mandell would all earn kills thereafter, but Wayne State would win the set 25-14.Â
MSUM would earn a 3-2 lead in the second set thanks to a pair of kills from Witzmann and one from
Tori Thompson. However, the potent Wildcats would showcase why they are the top-ranked team in the nation, scoring seven consecutive points to earn back the lead, 9-3. The Dragons would rally back to trail by jut one (13-12) on kills from Martini and
Jadyn Feist. The two teams would trade punches in the middle of the set before Wayne State would go on a mini 4-0 run to take a 21-16 lead. That proved to be too much for the Dragons to overcome as the Wildcats earned a set two win, 25-18.
A spirited third set would break out as Wayne State took a quick lead which was then matched by a short Dragon flurry to even the frame at six points each.
Bridget Witzmann earned her 900th career kill in the stretch as the Dragons would take a one-point lead (7-6). As they did all day, Wayne State would respond with a 10-2 run down the stretch to take a commanding 19-12 lead. MSUM would battle late in the set, scoring three straight points, but the Wildcats would finish off the match with a 25-17 set win.
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MSUM (7-14, 3-9 NSIC) begins a four-match road swing next week as the Dragons travel to face Augustana for a Friday date inside the Sanford Pentagon. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.
