MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead volleyball began NSIC competition on Friday evening in a five-set victory over visiting Augustana. The Dragons captured the first two sets and commanded a deciding fifth set in the victory.
It is MSUM's first victory over the Vikings since October 30, 2015.
The two teams would play a relatively even opening to the match with Augustana holding a narrow 11-9 advantage after beginning the set on a 4-0 run. The Vikings would eventually stretch their lead out to four points (18-14) before the Dragons began to settle in.
Jocelin Feutz led a charge that began with a kill, followed by a block assist alongside
Leah Laqua. After a kill from
Brielle Riess, Moorhead only trailed by one point. Riess and Feutz would tie the set at 19 points a few rallies later with back-to-back kills. Augustana would answer back to take a 22-20 lead in the set's most crucial moments. From there, the Dragons would strike on a 5-0 run to steal the frame, 25-22. Riess began the stretch with a kill and a service ace before
Raiah Mandell stamped a pair of kills. A Viking attack error helped the Dragons clinch the set.
It was MSUM who began the second set on a heater, building a 14-6 lead thanks in part to a 6-0 run. Mandell offered up another kill while
Madi Colby would drop in a service ace. After another kill from Feutz, MSUM would hold a lead of eight points (19-11) as the set neared a conclusion. Augustana would only come as close as six points down the stretch in the stanza, which Moorhead won 25-18. A kill from Mandell capped the set as the Dragons stamped a .414 hitting percentage in the frame.
Moorhead would again claim a comfortable lead to begin a possible deciding third set as they led 11-7 after a pair of Augie errors. The Vikings would fire back, striking on an 8-2 run to take a 15-13 lead midway through the set. A kill from Feutz would have the Dragons up by one point before the Vikings answered again, scoring on five straight rallies. Leading 21-18, the visitors used the run to claim the frame, 25-21. Augustana would again find a run in the fourth set, scoring six unanswered points midway through the set to lead 15-10. MSUM would be unable to regain the lead from there as the Vikings eventually landed at set point, leading 24-19. While Moorhead turned in a valiant response with their backs against the wall, Augie would squeeze past the Dragons to win, 25-23. Before set point, MSUM had scored on four straight rallies, led by Laqua behind the service line.
The Dragons would begin the final set with a renewed sense of grit and heart, building a two-point lead to begin. While Augustana would eventually work back to lead by two points (7-5), Moorhead would bounce back in what was potentially the game-clinching run. The Dragons scored on four straight possessions with Feutz opening the run with a kill. An ace from Laqua, followed by a thunderous block from
Ruby Bones had MSUM up, 9-7. From there, MSUM would keep Augie at arms length as back-to-back kills from Mandell and Riess brought the score to 13-10 in favor of Moorhead. Riess would close down the contest with a kill to clinch a 15-12 set win for the Dragons. Mandell led MSUM with 16 kills while Feutz and Riess each added 15 of their own. Riess also collected another double-double to her tally with 15 digs in the win.
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Up Next
MSUM (7-2, 1-0 NSIC) returns to Nemzek Fieldhouse tomorrow afternoon for a meeting with 17th-ranked Wayne State. First serve is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
