SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball dropped a competitive match with the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday evening. The Cougars defeated the Dragons in four sets. 

While Sioux Falls would gain a 7-1 lead out of the gates, MSUM would counteract by whittling down the Cougar lead to five points after a kill from Halle Erickson. The teams would trade punches from there with MSUM coming to within two points (19-17) after another kill from Erickson and one from Abby Thompson. Brielle Riess and Emily Ramsay would hit on back-to-back kills to put MSUM within one point. The Dragons would stave off a pair of set points later, but Sioux Falls would eventually muster up a 25-22 set win. Both teams were effective offensively with the Dragons hitting for a .333 mark to USF's .444 clip.

The teams would again go back and forth early in the second set with the Cougars building a three-point lead (12-9). From there, MSUM would strike on a 4-0 run to take their first lead of the match. Ramsay had a kill while Thompson had to back-to-back points with a block solo and kill. A service ace from Madi Colby would keep the Dragons in front by two points (15-13). The teams would eventually end up gridlocked at 20 points, but Riess would drop in an ace to give MSUM the lead once more. However, Sioux Falls would outscore MSUM 5-2 from there to claim the second frame. 

Sioux Falls would rush out to a 6-0 run to begin the third set and would eventually lead 11-5 near the midway point. The Dragons would respond on a 7-1 run to tie the set at 12 points. It was MSUM's defense that would own the stretch as the Dragons earned blocks from Mya Pfeifer, Raiah Mandell and Jocelin Feutz. With the Cougars leading 16-15, MSUM would go on another run, scoring on five straight rallies to lead 20-16. Colby had a pair of service aces in the stretch for the Dragons. While Sioux Falls would come within one point (22-21), MSUM would hang on behind a score of 25-22. 

The Dragons would lead 9-7 in the fourth set after Annalise Wilson dropped in one of her four service aces in the match. Another ace from Ramsay would give MSUM a lead of three points (16-13) midway through the frame. Eventually, MSUM would get closer to 25, leading 22-18 after Mandell earned her ninth kill of the match. The Cougars would piece together a massive 6-0 run to put themselves at match point, leading 24-22. After another kill from Mandell, Sioux Falls would win the set, 25-23. 

In the loss, Wilson finished with a double-double of 23 assists and 10 digs as did Colby (15 assists, 10 digs). Thompson tied her career high with 14 kills on a nice .560 hitting clip. 

Top Dragons

• Abby Thompson: 14 kills, block solo, block assist, .560 hitting percentage
• Raiah Mandell: 10 kills, two block solos, one block assist
• Brielle Riess: Eight kills, 11 digs
• Annalise Wilson: 23 assists, 10 digs, four service aces
• Madi Colby: 15 assists, 10 digs, three service aces

Up Next

MSUM (9-15, 4-12 NSIC) returns home for the final weekend of the 2024 regular season. The Dragons will play Southwest Minnesota State on Friday beginning at 6 p.m.