WINONA, Minn. – MSU Moorhead challenged Winona State on the road Friday evening. Despite the competitive frames, MSUM fell in four sets to the Warriors. 
 
MSUM would begin the first set strong, gaining a 9-4 advantage on kills from Bridget Witzmann, Tori Thompson, Jadyn Feist and Maci Martini. Feist and Thompson earned two kills each in the flurry with the Dragons hitting for a .500 clip to that point. MSUM would push that lead to seven points thanks to back-to-back kills from Witzmann and a service ace from Emily Skalicky. Trailing 17-10, Winona State opted for a timeout following the Dragon onslaught. The Warriors would trim the lead to five before another kill from Witzmann and an attack error gave MSUM a 25-19 set win.
 
For the Dragons, it is the first set win against Winona State since October 5, 2018. MSUM hit for a .295 mark in the frame headlined by Witzmann's five kills.
 
The Dragons would continue the positive momentum to begin the second set behind three more kills from Witzmann. From there, Winona State would rally to gain a 18-12 advantage. MSUM would get as close as five points, but the Warriors would command the rest of the set, winning 25-19. 
 
In the third set, the two teams would trade points before a service ace from Witzmann put the Dragons in front 9-8. MSUM would push towards a 17-13 lead from there with slams from Witzmann and Abby Thompson. Winona State would battle back into the set thanks to a 6-1 run to even the frame at 18 points. Ultimately, it was the Warriors who found a timely 6-0 run to close the set, 25-20.
 
Winona State would jump out to an 11-5 lead in a pivotal fourth set. Jadyn Feist would register a pair of kills as the Dragons attempted to get back into the set. Witzmann would put down her 19^th kill, coupled with a block assist alongside Abby Thompson, to cut the Warrior lead to three points (15-12). Although MSUM would trim the deficit to 20-17, Winona State would hold on to win the final set 25-20
 
In the loss, Bridget Witzmann recorded her 10^th double-double of the season (21 kills, 12 digs). The senior enters the final three games of 2023 with 953 career kills. 
 
Top Dragons
 

• Bridget Witzmann: 21 kills, 12 digs, two block assists, two service aces, .383 hit percentage
• Jadyn Feist: Seven kills
• Tori Thompson: Six kills, block solo
• Maci Martini: Six kills, 14 digs
• Karlee Luneckas: 22 assists, nine digs

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (7-17, 3-12 NSIC) wraps up their road schedule tomorrow afternoon in a match with fourth-ranked Concordia, St. Paul. First serve is slated for 2 p.m.