MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball suffered another tough loss on Saturday afternoon as the Dragons fell to third-ranked St. Cloud State in straight sets. 

MSUM would begin the first set with a renewed sense of energy following Friday's loss to Minnesota Duluth. Kills from Mya Pfeifer, Brielle Riess and Abby Thompson would help keep the Dragons competitive early, 7-6. The Dragons would eventually tie the game at 10 points following a pair of Husky errors. St. Cloud State would proceed to go on an 8-2 run to jump in front by six points (18-12). The Huskies would create a lead as large as eight points (22-14) late in the set and would claim the frame, 25-16. Both squads were about even on the attack as St. Cloud State would mark a .214 percentage to MSUM's .200. 

The Huskies would race out to a 9-2 lead in the second set before a service error gave the Dragons a needed point. St. Cloud State would push their lead to nine points (14-5) midway through the set before the Dragon turned in a needed 3-0 run. Thompson led the way in the burst with another kill. MSUM would come as close as seven points (23-16) before St. Cloud State pieced together two kills from their star outside hitter Kenzie Foley. The Huskies won the second set, 25-17 behind a .400 hitting percentage. 

To begin the third set, St. Cloud State would again build a sizable advantage, leading 13-5. The burst came after Thompson owned the first four rallies of the frame with two kills and a block assist alongside Halle Erickson. The teams would trade points from there with MSUM trimming the Husky lead to eight points (19-11) with match point looming. St. Cloud State would complete the set outscoring the Dragons, 6-2 to win 25-13. The Huskies completed the match with seven service aces and a .378 hitting percentage. Thompson led the way for the Dragons with 11 kills and three total blocks. 

Top Dragons

• Abby Thompson: 11 kills, two block solos, block assist, .556 hitting percentage
• Raiah Mandell: Four kills
• Annalise Wilson: 15 assists, one kill

Up Next

MSUM (8-12, 3-9 NSIC) is back on the road next week for matches with Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State. First serve against the Golden Eagles is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.