MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball collected a massive win over (RV) Minnesota State on Saturday afternoon as the Dragons used an all-around effort on their way to an impressive four-set victory over the Mavericks. 

It is MSUM's first win over Minnesota State since October 16, 2015. 

The Dragons would spread the ball around to begin the first set and the teamwork helped MSUM build a 13-9 advantage. Raiah Mandell, Brielle Riess, Emily Ramsay and Halle Erickson all scored kills in the stretch that was capped by a service ace from Kiara Olesch. It was the Dragon defense that frustrated the Maverick attack throughout the first frame, helping MSUM stay in front, 15-13 after a kill from Abby Thompson. While Minnesota State would eventually even the score at 18 points, Riess would strike again to reclaim the lead for the Dragons. Down the stretch in the set, MSUM continued their efficient attack with four more kills from Mandell, Thompson, Erickson and Annalise Wilson. Riess would cap the first set win with a kill as MSUM won 25-22. The Dragon hit for a .306 mark in the first frame while forcing Minnesota State to a .100 clip with nine errors. 

Ramsay would again help MSUM build a three-point lead in the second set (8-5) before the Mavericks began to settle in and match the Dragons. Midway through the frame, Ramsay would score MSUM's next five points on kills to keep the Dragons on top, 16-14. Minnesota State would again match the Dragon energy to tie before a slam from Mya Pfeifer put MSUM back up by one point. With the teams tied at 21, Minnesota State would go on a 5-1 run to finish the frame and win 25-22 to even the match. The Dragons were still efficient in the set, hitting for a .324 mark. 

MSUM would again build an 8-5 lead in the third set after another kill from Erickson. From there, the Dragons would outscore the Mavericks 3-1 to push that lead to five points (11-6). A service ace from Maci Martini would keep the Dragon lead at five points midway through the set (13-8). Minnesota State would bring the count as close as two points (14-12) before MSUM slammed four kills from Pfeifer, Erickson, Riess and Ramsay to claim a 19-15 advantage. The Mavericks would trail by one point late in the set (23-22) before the Dragons closed it down with earth-shattering kills from Mandell and Thompson. 

In a potentially deciding fourth frame, MSUM would completely dominate the opening portion, racing out to a convincing 14-5 lead. Riess and Ramsay would net kills in the stretch while Thompson racked up three of her nine kills in that flurry alone. Amanda Lisi would drop in back-to-back service aces for the Dragons as well. The MSUM lead would balloon to 12 points (18-6) after back-to-back kills by Ramsay and Mandell.

Pfeifer would add a kill to stall a Maverick run and make the score, 19-7. Minnesota State would have one last gasp as they would go on a 4-0 spurt to pull within eight. The Mavericks would cut the deficit to as little as four points (23-19) before Wilson would answer with a tricky kill to put MSUM at set point. In appropriate fashion, Ramsay would lace her career-high 17th kill on the ensuing rally to clinch a Dragon victory. Riess finished with a double-double for MSUM with 12 kills and 16 digs. As a whole, MSUM hit for an impressive .299 mark. 

Top Dragons

• Emily Ramsay: 17 kills (career-high), seven digs, .286 hitting percentage
• Brielle Riess: 12 kills, 16 digs, .211 hitting percentage
• Raiah Mandell: Seven kills, one block assist, .462 hitting percentage
• Abby Thompson: Nine kills, two block solos, three block assists, .308 hitting percentage
• Halle Erickson: Seven kills, two block assists, .353 hitting percentage
• Mya Pfeifer: Seven kills, two block solos, .467 hitting percentage
• Annalise Wilson: 24 assists, three kills, seven digs
• Amanda Lisi: 23 assists, two service aces, seven digs

Up Next

MSUM (6-6, 1-3 NSIC) will turn right around and play again on Tuesday as they welcome the Bemidji State Beavers to Nemzek Fieldhouse. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.