TOPEKA, Kan. – Minnesota State Moorhead concluded action at the Washburn Invitational on Saturday. The Dragons dropped a tough, five-set bout with Emporia State to open the morning before sweeping Truman State.
Hornets 3, Dragons 2
It was Emporia State that began the morning match sharp as the Hornets would jump in front by six points (8-2). Trailing by six points, MSUM would battle back to tie the set at nine points following a 5-0 run. Kills from
Mya Pfeifer,
Maci Martini and
Brielle Riess led the attack for the Dragons. Emporia State would hold a small lead as the set reached a midway point (15-12). The Hornets would eventually build their back up to seven points (21-14) as the set neared a conclusion. MSUM would only come to within six points before Emporia State claimed the frame, 25-16.
A quick 4-2 lead awaited the Dragons in the second set after
Raiah Mandell and Pfeifer scored kills. MSUM would eventually hold a three-point advantage (9-6) following a kill from
Ruby Bones. Moorhead had its largest lead of the set in four points following a Hornet error. A block assist from Bones and
Jadyn Feist kept the lead at four points near the end of the stanza. Emporia State would battle back to tie the count at 21 points, but MSUM would push ahead to win, 25-22. Pfeifer was key down the stretch, earning a block assist alongside
Jocelin Feutz as well as a kill.
The Dragons would respond to the second set win by compiling a six-point lead to begin the third frame. Feist, Riess and Mandell all had kills in the stretch with Riess adding a service ace. Emporia State would get back into the set, making the score 6-4 shortly thereafter. However, it was MSUM who controlled the tempo of the set throughout, eventually rebuilding their lead to eight points after another ace from Riess. Overall, MSUM hit for a .345 clip in the set to win 25-16, and gain control of the match.
Emporia State would tighten up in the fourth set, gaining a commanding 18-7 lead on the Dragons. The Hornets would lead by 10 points (19-9) before Moorhead began to battle back. MSUM would score on six straight rallies to cut the deficit to two points (21-19) with Feutz coming up big with a block solo. While the comeback effort was valiant, Emporia State re-established control to take the set, 25-19.
The squads would trade punches to begin the deciding fifth set with the Dragons earning a four-point lead (10-6) after another kill from Bones. Emporia State would rally back into the set, tying the frame at 11 points. Both teams would need to go beyond the 15-point threshold after the Dragons evened the score at 14 points. Emporia State would score on the next two rallies to win the frame, 16-14.
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Dragons 3, Bulldogs 0
With both squads trading blows in the first set, it was the Bulldogs who grabbed an 8-6 lead following a 4-0 run. Moorhead would respond from there, scoring on five straight rallies to lead 11-8. A pair of kills from Feutz helped pace the Dragons in the run. It was not long after where the Dragons truly imposed themselves, gaining a seven-point lead (17-10) after another 5-0 burst. Truman State would only come as close as five points throughout the remainder of the frame, which MSUM won 25-19.
Moorhead would again utilize a 5-0 run to create some separation in the second set. Back-to-back service aces from
Amanda Lisi capped the run as the Dragons led 15-8. As the set reached its latter stages, Truman State would come back to within three points (17-14) before the Dragons scored on three straight rallies. Feutz and Feist earned kills before
Madi Colby dropped in a service ace. Moorhead earned the set victory, 25-18.
The teams would even out in the third set, which saw Truman State implement some offensive adjustments. In turn, the Bulldogs would collect a one-point lead (14-13) before MSUM took it right back. Again, it was MSUM who made a crucial run in the stanza's latter half that put them in a position for victory. Moorhead struck on a 7-1 spurt, led by a pair of service aces from Riess. A block assist from Bones and Feutz capped the run, giving the Dragons a 22-16 advantage. It was not long after where Moorhead would secure the match, winning set three by a 25-20 count.
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Up Next
Moorhead (6-2) will now look towards NSIC play as the Dragons open up the conference schedule at home next weekend. A three-game homestand begins with a matchup against Augustana on Friday, September 19 at 6 p.m.
